plate no. 8450

Portrait of Anna Maria Borghese, born de Ferrari (1874-1924)

oilRealismportraitportraitgirldressgardenbalustradefoliage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice depicting complex fabric textures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main value structure using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the figure, paying attention to the folds and drapery of the dress.
step 04
Begin layering in local color, starting with the skin tones and then moving to the dress and background.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the dress and background.
step 07
Paint the lace details, using thin glazes of white and gray.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Mix various shades of pink for the dress by blending alizarin crimson and titanium white, adjusting the ratio for lighter and darker tones. Achieve natural skin tones by combining yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of raw umber.

techniques