plate no. 2452

Portrait of Mrs. Drummond

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredressbackgroundsculpturedrawing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the dark background using thin washes of brown and black, gradually building up depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the dress with light pink and white, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Begin to develop the skin tones, using a limited palette of white, red, yellow, and brown, and blending carefully.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the sitter.
step 06
Render the details of the dress, including the lace, pearls, and gold trim, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Paint the still life elements, such as the sculpture and drawing, paying attention to their form and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension, and refine the overall composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of brown. Create the dress colors by mixing white with small amounts of red, yellow, and blue. Use glazes to create depth and luminosity.

techniques