plate no. 7391

Portrait of the Duchess of Luxembourg, seated three-quarter-length, in an embroidered yellow dress, before a fountain, a landscape beyond

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurelandscapedressfruitfountain

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric. 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. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, dress, background sky, and landscape.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the folds and details of the yellow dress, using highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Paint the background landscape, using lighter values and softer edges to create depth.
step 06
Add details to the foreground elements, such as the fruit and the fountain.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix yellow ochre with white for the dress highlights and burnt umber for shadows. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of alizarin crimson for the clouds. Mix greens with yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white for the landscape.

techniques