plate no. 1541

Portrait of Mariana of Austria

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredressfacedark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict fabric folds and subtle shifts in value to create form. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing likeness.

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 on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the dark background using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the dress with thin washes of white and gray.
step 04
Begin to develop the folds and drapery of the dress, paying attention to how light interacts with the fabric.
step 05
Carefully paint the face, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 06
Add details to the hands and the object being held.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray by combining white and black. Use small amounts of burnt sienna or cadmium red to warm up the flesh tones and add subtle color variations to the white dress.

techniques