plate no. 9773

Portrait of Cecilia D'Auersperg

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryfeatherschair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as the ability to depict fine details like lace and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of muted green.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the dress and skin tones.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the lace and small dots.
step 06
Paint the jewelry and accessories, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the dress color by adding small amounts of blue or yellow to white. Use glazes of gold for the jewelry.

techniques