plate no. 8770

The Little Marquise of Roncali

oilRomanticismportraitportraitchildclothingfigurebowoval

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. Students will also learn about color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and subtle variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic oval shape and the figure's pose, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone green.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and clothing using thin washes.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, focusing on subtle transitions.
step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and details of the fabric.
step 06
Add details like the bow, buttons, and jewelry.
step 07
Refine the background and edges to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · viridian green · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the green background by mixing viridian green with white and a touch of raw umber to mute the color.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in light and shadow.
→Ignoring the details of the clothing and accessories.

materials

surface · stretched canvas (oval shape)

required

·stretched canvas (oval shape)
·oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, yellow ochre, raw umber, viridian green, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags or paper towels