plate no. 5707

Portrait of Countess Anna De Noailles, Princess of Brancovan

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfiguredresschairfabricbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and subtle value changes in skin tones, as well as rendering fabric with soft folds and highlights.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark, muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the dress and chair with their base colors.
step 04
Begin adding shadows and highlights to the dress, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle value changes in the skin.
step 06
Add details to the hair, jewelry, and any other accessories.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

Achieve the dress's subtle blue-gray tones by mixing white, black, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use raw umber and burnt sienna to create the warm tones in the skin and chair.

techniques