plate no. 7713

Portrait of Adélaïde Labille-Guiard

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguredresshatmusiclace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful value control.

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 proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral colors, gradually building up darker values.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall form and volume.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create a sense of realism.
step 05
Work on the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 06
Add details to the hat and feather, capturing their unique shapes and textures.
step 07
Paint the music sheet, paying attention to the details of the notes and lines.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details to create a cohesive and polished look.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve the dark blues of the dress by mixing black with ultramarine blue. Use white and a touch of yellow ochre for the music sheet.

techniques