plate no. 8949

Portrait of Agnes Murray Kynnynmond

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredressrosesfoliagefabric

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting and subtle color gradations.

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 figure's proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, shawl, and skin tones.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the form and create depth, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 06
Add details to the dress and shawl, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Paint the roses and foliage, using a variety of greens and pinks to create visual interest.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism and depth.

color palette

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

secondary · raw umber · viridian · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the pink dress color by blending white, alizarin crimson, and a small amount of yellow ochre. Muted greens can be created by mixing ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow light, and raw umber.

techniques