plate no. 4068

Portrait of Magdalena de Cuyper

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredraperychairinteriorflower

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict complex textures like fur and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, clothing, and hands.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the fur collar, ruff, and fabric folds.
step 06
Add the details of the chair and the background elements, such as the drapery and the flower.
step 07
Refine the light and shadow throughout the painting, creating depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Dark clothing is achieved by mixing ivory black with ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Use glazes to create depth in the drapery.

techniques