plate no. 1679

Portrait of an elderly lady with her daughter

oilRococoportraitfiguresportraitsdoginteriortabledress

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabrics with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using light and shadow.

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 and proportions of the figures and key elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the dark background to create contrast and depth.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the dresses, focusing on the folds, highlights, and shadows.
step 06
Paint the dog, capturing its form and texture.
step 07
Add details to the table, flowers, and other accessories.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding finishing touches.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · ultramarine blue · rose madder

secondary · raw umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the fabric colors by mixing blues and whites with small amounts of other colors to create subtle shifts in hue and value.

techniques

·portraiture
·fabric rendering
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value in the fabrics.
→Ignoring the importance of the background in creating depth and contrast.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition and values.