plate no. 2551

Portrait of the artist`s daughter

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfigurebirdbirdcagedressfoliage

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering soft, diffused light. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and depicting delicate details like fabric and flowers.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the oval shape and basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, birdcage, and bird.
step 02
Block in the background with muted greens and blues, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figure, using light washes of color to define the form.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and hue.
step 05
Paint the dress and drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add details to the birdcage and bird, using fine brushstrokes to capture the texture and form.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches, such as highlights in the hair and details in the flowers.

color palette

primary · titanium white · rose madder · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · viridian green · raw umber · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, rose madder, and yellow ochre, with small amounts of blue or umber for shadows. Mix greens by blending blue and yellow with varying amounts of white for highlights and umber for shadows.

techniques