plate no. 0336
The Comtesse of Valmont
Jean-Francois Millet, 1841
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in portraiture, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create form. Students will also learn to render fabric and jewelry details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and green.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the dress, skin, and chair.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the folds and details of the dress, using subtle value changes.
- step 06
Add the lace collar and cuffs, using small brushstrokes.
- step 07
Paint the jewelry, focusing on highlights and reflections.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values for a cohesive composition.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Mix blacks and browns with blues and siennas to avoid a flat, lifeless tone. Use white sparingly for highlights.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·rendering fabric
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using too much white, making the colors look chalky.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the dress.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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