plate no. 2164

Simon Wilmot

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinglacechildhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering fine details like lace. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful value control.

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, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark, neutral color, gradually blending it to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, focusing on the overall value relationships.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color that create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, buttons, and lace, using a variety of brushstrokes and techniques.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 07
Refine the edges of the forms, softening some and sharpening others to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, a touch of alizarin crimson, and a small amount of burnt umber. Use ivory black and white to create the background, adding small amounts of other colors for subtle variations. Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber for the clothing.

techniques