plate no. 7550

Portrait of Maria Lvova

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomandressflowersindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and expression, and practice impressionistic brushwork to create texture and form with loose strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of muted blues and grays.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the overall form and light.
step 04
Develop the skin tones using subtle variations of pinks, yellows, and browns.
step 05
Paint the dress with loose, visible brushstrokes, capturing the texture and folds.
step 06
Add details to the face, focusing on the eyes and mouth to capture the expression.
step 07
Refine the background and add details to the flowers.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue; use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker areas of the background and dress; mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the subtle variations in the dress.

techniques