plate no. 0881

Portrait Of The Marquise D'Hervey, Sitting

oil, panelAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredressrosesfabricbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice painting delicate fabrics and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of burnt umber and gradually build up the darker tones.
step 03
Establish the main shapes and values of the dress, using a light underpainting.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the skin, paying attention to subtle shifts in tone and temperature.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the details of the dress, focusing on the folds, ruffles, and lace.
step 07
Paint the roses, capturing their color and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the dress's subtle hues by mixing white with small amounts of pink, lavender, and yellow. Use glazes of alizarin crimson to create the rich red of the roses.

techniques