plate no. 9285

Self-portrait with Daughters

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguresclothingdogbookspalette

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict complex fabrics and textures with subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and figures, focusing on accurate proportions.
step 03
Develop the skin tones using layers of thin glazes, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the clothing, rendering the folds and textures with careful brushwork and subtle color shifts.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of each figure.
step 06
Paint the smaller details like the dog, books, and palette, adding interest and complexity to the composition.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Create the velvet textures by layering burnt umber with subtle variations of red and black.

techniques