plate no. 2062

Portrait of the artist's wife, Amanzia Guérillot

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryhairhands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric and skin tones. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

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 pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress and skin tones, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the lace and folds.
step 06
Develop the hands and jewelry, adding highlights and shadows.
step 07
Refine the hair, creating texture and volume.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and brown. Achieve the dark dress color by mixing black with a touch of blue and brown. Use white to create highlights and lighten colors.

techniques