plate no. 9108

Princess Louise Mountbatten

Philip de Laszlo, 1907

oilImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatdressfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushwork to create a sense of movement and light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with thin washes of color, focusing on the main areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, mixing subtle variations of color for highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the drapery and hat, using loose brushstrokes to create a sense of texture and movement.
step 06
Refine the background, adding depth and atmosphere with subtle color variations.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust colors.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw umber

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, cadmium red light, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create neutral grays for shadows.

techniques