plate no. 0357

Portrait of a young woman of Retuna

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitwomanlandscapeskyfoliageclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as landscape painting techniques for creating depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the red jacket and white blouse, focusing on folds and textures.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Refine the landscape elements, adding details to the foliage and buildings.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · ivory black · sap green

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Achieve atmospheric perspective in the landscape by lightening and desaturating colors as they recede into the distance.

techniques