plate no. 5679

Portrait of Catharina Behaghel

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredressdraperyarchitecturechair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering complex textures in clothing. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin to refine the values and details of the face, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the drapery and clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the background elements, such as the architectural features and decorative elements.
step 06
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as jewelry and facial features.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue

Mix blacks with blues and browns for cooler shadows. Use yellow ochre and white to create highlights on the skin and fabric. Mix red with browns to create the drapery color.

techniques