plate no. 2692

Princess Vorontsova Dashkova

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredresslacejewelryhair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone blending, and rendering of fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of character.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and torso.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, dress, and sash.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the lace, ruffles, and folds.
step 06
Add the jewelry and other embellishments, focusing on their metallic sheen and intricate designs.
step 07
Refine the hair, adding highlights and shadows to create volume and texture.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber. The dress is primarily white with subtle variations of gray and cream. The sash is a vibrant red, achieved by mixing cadmium red with a touch of crimson.

techniques

·Blending
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Layering
·Chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions
→Muddy skin tones
→Overworking the details
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Easel