plate no. 0167

Portrait of Catherine Vasilevny Torsukovoy

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresshairlandscapetrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as practice blending techniques to create soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and placement within the frame.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, shawl, and hair, using simplified color values.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, layering subtle variations of color to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Add details to the dress and shawl, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the hair, using small brushstrokes to create individual strands and curls.
step 07
Add the final details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that all elements are in harmony.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green to create the cool tones in the background.

techniques