plate no. 7063

The Countess of Keller

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryfurhair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as blending and layering techniques to create soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones with thin layers of paint, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Begin layering the dress, using white and green to create the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add the fur stole, paying attention to the texture and direction of the fur.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add details such as the jewelry and hair ornaments.
step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium yellow

secondary · viridian green · alizarin crimson · burnt sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow, red, and a touch of brown. The dress is created with various shades of white and green, while the background is a mix of black and brown.

techniques