plate no. 8428

Portrait of Praskovia Repnina

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredresshairribbonjewelry

experienced study

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful value control.

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, focusing on the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark color, gradually building up the value.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall color harmony.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery, and rendering the fabric's texture.
step 07
Add the details of the ribbon and jewelry, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and lifelike portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, raw umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. The dress color can be achieved by mixing ultramarine blue, ivory black, and titanium white. Use alizarin crimson to create the pinkish hue of the cheeks and lips.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the facial features.
→Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Inaccurate color mixing, leading to unnatural skin tones.
→Neglecting the subtle value changes that create form.
→Getting lost in details too early before establishing the overall composition and values.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, raw umber, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife