plate no. 1860

Portrait of Suzanne Le Pelletier de Saint Fargeau

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothinghairshawl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating subtle gradations in skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and hair textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of Burnt Umber.
step 03
Establish the main values on the face, focusing on light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the clothing, starting with the white dress and then the dark shawl.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the hair, paying attention to the curls and highlights.
step 07
Add the gold details on the shawl.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and edges for a polished look.

color palette

primary · Titanium White · Burnt Umber · Yellow Ochre

secondary · Ivory Black · Cadmium Yellow · Alizarin Crimson

Skin tones are achieved by mixing Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, and a touch of Alizarin Crimson. The dark shawl is primarily Ivory Black and Burnt Umber. Use white to lighten the colors.

techniques