plate no. 2579

Portrait of Mme Augustine Massicot Tanneret

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresshairtablebackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, dress, and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on subtle value changes to create form.
step 04
Paint the dress, paying attention to the folds and highlights to convey the fabric's texture.
step 05
Add details to the hair, face, and dress, such as the curls, facial features, and lace.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the final highlights and details, such as the jewelry and the edges of the dress.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · viridian

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The dress is primarily white with subtle variations of gray and blue. The background is a mix of umber and black with hints of green.

techniques