plate no. 4591

Portrait of the Infanta Maria Teresa future Queen Marie Therese of France

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguredresshairjewelryroyal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering complex fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with dark greens and browns, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the dress with light beige and gray tones, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Add details to the hair and headdress, using small brushstrokes to create texture and dimension.
step 06
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace, ribbons, and jewelry.
step 07
Refine the hands and the white cloth, paying attention to the subtle folds and highlights.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to the entire painting, ensuring a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of beige and gray by combining white, black, and umber. Use red and yellow ochre for skin tones, and mix greens with black and yellow for the background.

techniques