plate no. 1887

Portrait Of Milada Cerny

Alphonse Mucha, 1906

oilRomanticismportraitfigureportraitdresspianomusicindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle tonal variations within a limited color palette.

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 proportions and placement of the figure and piano.
step 02
Establish the background with a warm, muted tone, gradually building depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the folds and drapery of the dress.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace and ruffles, using delicate brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the piano, capturing its form and texture with careful observation.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and white to create the various shades of brown in the background and piano. Add a touch of black to darken the shadows.

techniques