plate no. 8639

Portrait of Anne Rodbard, Mrs. Blackburn

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslandscapeskyhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric, as well as blending techniques for skin tones and atmospheric backgrounds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, dress, background.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones with subtle layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the folds and details of the dress, using variations in white and gray.
step 05
Work on the background, blending colors to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 06
Add details to the face, including eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 07
Refine the hair and hat, adding texture and detail.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall form and depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of umber, ochre, and blue to create the subtle variations in the dress. Skin tones are achieved by blending red, yellow, umber, and white.

techniques