plate no. 0842

Portrait of Feliciana Bayeu, daughter of the painter

oilRococoportraitportraitwomanclothinghairfacerococo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering soft, diffused lighting. It also provides practice in blending and layering colors to create subtle variations in skin tones and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, hair, and clothing using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the subtle nuances of expression and likeness.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Blend and soften the edges of the brushstrokes to create a smooth, luminous effect.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the green background by mixing viridian green with raw umber and white.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong foundation of light and shadow.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Neglecting the importance of blending and softening the edges of the brushstrokes.