plate no. 6813

Portrait of Mary Moll Davis (fl.1663-1669)

oilBaroqueportraitfigureportraitdraperyurncolumncurtain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice with depicting fabric folds and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and placement of the urn and background elements.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hair, and clothing, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle shading to create form.
step 05
Develop the drapery, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Render the urn, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and metallic sheen.
step 07
Add details to the background and clothing, such as the lace trim and architectural elements.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to create a cohesive and polished painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the blue drapery by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber for shadows. Create the gold urn with yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white for highlights.

techniques