plate no. 9417

Portrait of Countess A S Protasova with Her Nieces

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitfiguresportraitwomenlandscapetreesclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in the background. Students will also improve their understanding of color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and fabric colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the background with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the figures, paying attention to their poses and relationships to each other.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features of each figure, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle details.
step 05
Develop the clothing and drapery, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add details such as jewelry, flowers, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and viridian green for cooler shadows in the background. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the pastel shades in the clothing.

techniques