plate no. 6086

Portrait of the artist's daughter

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitfigureportraitdressflowerscurtainlandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric with subtle light and shadow. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and the large shapes of the dress and curtain.
step 03
Develop the values in the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle transitions between light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the dress, including the patterns and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Refine the background landscape, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Paint the flowers, focusing on their shapes and colors.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Achieve the subtle grays and whites of the dress by mixing titanium white with small amounts of ivory black and burnt umber. Use glazes of ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create depth in the shadows.

techniques