plate no. 0781

Portrait of Suzanne Curchod (Madame Jacques Necker) Wearing a White Satin Dress

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguredressfurnitureinteriorhair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and the subtle gradations of light on fabric. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, muted tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the dress and then the skin tones.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using thin glazes to build up depth and luminosity.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, focusing on the folds, ruffles, and the way light interacts with the satin.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the darker tones in the background and shadows. Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and raw umber to achieve the off-white color of the dress.

techniques