plate no. 8897

The Duchess of York

Philip de Laszlo, 1925

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigurepearlsdresshairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and drape of the fabric.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral colors, paying attention to the subtle gradations of tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and fabric, using a limited palette of earth tones and blues.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the highlights and shadows on the skin, using subtle blending techniques to create a soft, luminous effect.
step 06
Add details to the hair, fabric, and jewelry, using smaller brushes to create texture and definition.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a harmonious and balanced image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, umber, and a touch of blue. The blue fabric is created by mixing ultramarine with white and a touch of umber for shadows.

techniques