plate no. 6960

Portrait of Catherine Pavlovna

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurechilddresscloudssky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering soft, diffused light. It also offers practice in blending and creating subtle color transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the background with broad, blended strokes of muted browns and grays.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones, focusing on the light and shadow areas of the face.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Block in the dress and sash with their respective colors, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 06
Add details to the lace and ruffles, using fine brushstrokes and highlights.
step 07
Refine the hair, adding strands and highlights to create texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall form and depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · viridian · ivory black · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber to create shadows. Mix viridian and yellow ochre for the green sash.

techniques