plate no. 3828

Portrait of Amalia Gavrilova

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguredresslaceflowersjewelry

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering complex textures like lace and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Start working on the dress, focusing on the overall pattern and folds.
step 05
Add details to the lace, using small brushes and delicate strokes.
step 06
Paint the flowers, capturing their form and color variations.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark background. Achieve the dress's colors by mixing yellow ochre, white, and small amounts of blue and red.

techniques