plate no. 3461
Portrait of Madame Courcelles
Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1750
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as techniques for painting delicate fabrics and textures like lace.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic oval composition and the figure's pose, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the background with soft, blended tones.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, dress, and table with thin washes of color.
- step 04
Begin layering skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Carefully render the lace and ribbon, using fine brushes and delicate strokes.
- step 07
Add details to the background elements, such as the mirror and table setting.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, paying attention to edges and transitions.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · alizarin crimson
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the darker background tones. Mix white with a touch of red for the pink hues in the face and ribbon.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabric
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the delicate texture of the lace.
- →Creating harsh transitions between light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched oval canvas
required
- ·stretched oval canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·soft cloths
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will aid in blending.
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