plate no. 2615

Portrait of Céphise Picou, Sister of the Artist

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredresspianochairlace

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 subtle color variations and soft blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and piano.
step 02
Establish the background and overall tonal values.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the skin, dress, and hair.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace and fabric folds.
step 06
Add details to the chair, piano, and other background elements.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · emerald green

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, a touch of red, and a hint of yellow ochre. Achieve the dress color by mixing white with a small amount of blue and grey.

techniques