plate no. 7376

Portrait of Julie De Thellusson-Ployard

pastelRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslaceribbonsjewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics and textures. Students will also learn about color mixing to achieve subtle skin tones and the luminous quality of pastel.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of a neutral color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones, focusing on the light and shadow areas of the face and hands.
step 04
Start building up the layers of the dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Carefully render the lace details, using light and delicate strokes.
step 06
Add the ribbons and jewelry, paying attention to their color and texture.
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 · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · Prussian blue

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black · light blue · gold

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the blue ribbons by mixing Prussian blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre for a softer hue.

techniques

·Layering
·Blending
·Hatching
·Scumbling
·Color Mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the pastel, which can lead to a muddy or chalky appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong foundation with the initial sketch.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Getting lost in the details of the lace and ribbons before establishing the overall form.