plate no. 4066

Portrait of Maria Catharina Ursula (Mia) Cuypers

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfigurekimonofanhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and subtle details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and fan.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of blue.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, hair, and kimono with light and shadow.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
step 06
Render the kimono, focusing on the folds and patterns.
step 07
Paint the fan, capturing its shape and the subtle variations in tone.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the blue background by mixing cerulean blue with white. Create the kimono's subtle shades by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and blue.

techniques