plate no. 4716

Portrait of Violet Louisa Ponsonby

chalk, paperRomanticismportraitportraitfigurehairdressgirl

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing the texture of hair using layering and blending techniques. It also provides practice in depicting fabric folds and subtle light variations.

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, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the basic skin tones using light washes of color, gradually building up depth and form.
step 03
Begin rendering the hair, focusing on the overall shape and flow of the curls before adding details.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Block in the basic shapes of the dress, indicating the folds and shadows.
step 06
Refine the details of the hair, adding highlights and shadows to create texture and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create subtle grays for shadows.

techniques