plate no. 1204

Portrait of Elise Kreuzberger

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurewomanlaceflowerfur

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone blending, and rendering fine details like lace and hair. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting and capturing a likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the head tilt and shoulder placement.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values, focusing on the background, skin tones, and the dark areas of the hair and fur.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 04
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the hair, creating soft, flowing lines and adding highlights to give it dimension.
step 06
Render the lace shawl, carefully depicting the intricate patterns and delicate texture.
step 07
Paint the fur collar, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of texture and depth.
step 08
Add the final details, such as the flower in the hair and the highlights on the jewelry.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for shadows. Mix viridian with yellow ochre for the green leaves.

techniques