plate no. 1963

Portrait of the Mary Gainsborough

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredresshatrosehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and main elements.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Begin to develop the skin tones, using a limited palette and focusing on subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Add the details of the dress and hat, paying attention to the textures and folds.
step 05
Paint the hair, using loose, expressive brushstrokes to capture its volume and movement.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add the rose and leaves, paying attention to their color and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark, muted tones for the background and shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·chiaroscuro
·scumbling
·glazing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations in color and value.
→Creating a background that is too bright or distracting.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Using brushstrokes that are too tight or controlled.