plate no. 2349

Portrait of mademoiselle Charlotte du Val d'Ognes

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigurewindowbuildingdressartist

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering fabric and skin tones with subtle gradations. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through tonal values.

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 proportions and placement of the figure and window.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the background with muted tones, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using thin washes and building up the values gradually.
step 05
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and drapery, using a limited palette of whites and grays.
step 06
Add the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the window and the figures in the background.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and umber to create grays for the shadows and background. Mix white with a touch of red for the pink sash.

techniques