plate no. 0710

Princess Pauline de Metternich

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredressgardenpearlsflowers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values, focusing on the background and the dress.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Render the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Paint the jewelry and flowers, paying attention to their textures and colors.
step 07
Refine the background, adding details to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and brown. Create the dress's subtle shades by mixing white with small amounts of black, blue, and green.

techniques