plate no. 4348

Portrait of Marie Joséphine of Savoy in a Turquoise Dress with White Lace Trim and Ribbon

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredressflowersribbonlace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone blending, as well as rendering fabric textures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic oval shape and the figure's pose, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and body.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Paint the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights of the fabric.
step 06
Add details like the lace, ribbon, and flowers.
step 07
Refine the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall form.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · ivory black · rose madder

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · cerulean blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, rose madder, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber. Create the turquoise dress color by mixing ultramarine blue and white, adjusting the shade with a touch of yellow or black.

techniques