plate no. 2866

Portrait of Caroline Murat with her daughter, Letizia

oil, canvasRococoportraitfiguresportraitdresscolumnlandscapeinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and background elements, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create form and volume.
step 04
Begin adding details to the dresses, including the intricate patterns and textures.
step 05
Paint the background, creating depth and atmosphere with soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures and objects.
step 07
Refine the details of the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to achieve a cohesive and polished result.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · gold

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the dress colors by mixing white with small amounts of blue and ochre. Use glazes of red and umber for the red fabric.

techniques