plate no. 4404

Portrait of Elizabeth Courtauld

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresspeacock fanchairinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice with depicting complex textures like fabric and feathers.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: head, body, chair, and fan.
step 02
Establish the background and basic values of the wall and chair.
step 03
Block in the skin tones of the face, neck, and hands using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones to create a smooth, realistic appearance.
step 05
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and shadows to create volume.
step 06
Add the details of the lace collar and peacock feathers, paying attention to their intricate patterns.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark tones of the dress. Achieve the peacock feather colors by mixing viridian, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre.

techniques