plate no. 3590

Portrait of Levitskaya Volkonskaya

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguredressarchitectureflowersinterior

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 fabric textures and patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background elements, including the architecture and drapery, using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Begin layering the dress, focusing on capturing the intricate patterns and folds.
step 05
Refine the facial features and add details to the hair and clothing.
step 06
Paint the still life with flowers and the chair.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and add final highlights and shadows.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray and black by combining ivory black, raw umber, and small amounts of ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light, adjusting the proportions to create highlights and shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details in the dress, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating depth and form.