plate no. 8167

Portrait of Madame de Reiset D'Arques as Sappho

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraitlandscapecloudsclassicalcupid

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as drapery and classical composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using thin layers of paint and careful blending.
step 04
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 05
Work on the landscape, adding details to the trees, rocks, and sky.
step 06
Refine the facial features, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final details, such as the jewelry and the writing tablet.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, sienna, and a touch of red. Create the sky by mixing blue and white, with hints of grey. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the drapery.

techniques