plate no. 2228

Portrait of Klementyna Ostrowska Née Sanguszko

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguredresscurtainschairpillow

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict different fabric textures and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, starting with the curtains and architectural elements.
step 04
Focus on the figure, building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the dress and fur, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the details of the jewelry and other accessories.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre and umber. Create the dark dress color by mixing black with a touch of blue and umber. The fur is a mix of browns, umbers and blacks.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·drapery

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the drapery.
→Inaccurate rendering of the fabric textures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil