plate no. 4918

Portrait of Mrs. Henri-Jean-Pierre Picou, Mother of the Artist

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfigureinteriorchairfabricflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the large masses of the figure, chair, and background.
step 03
Start refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Work on the background, adding the details of the wallpaper and the table with flowers.
step 06
Refine the details of the chair and the patterned fabric in the sitter's lap.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and realistic representation.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · Prussian blue · rose madder · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Use raw umber to create warm shadows and earthy tones. Add small amounts of Prussian blue and rose madder to create the colors in the wallpaper and patterned fabric.

techniques