plate no. 0943

Portrait of a Young Woman

oilAcademicismportraitportraitwomandresshatribbonflowers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing and blending to achieve realistic skin tones and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and hat.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, even layer of color, paying attention to the subtle patterns.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, dress, and hat, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the folds, patterns, and lace trim.
step 06
Add the details of the hat, including the feathers, flowers, and ribbon.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the light blue of the dress, and add small amounts of other colors to create the subtle variations in tone.

techniques