plate no. 2300

The Virtuous Woman

oilBaroqueportraitfigureinteriorwindowarchitecturechairportrait

experienced study

This painting provides a good exercise in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing the fall of light in an interior scene. Students will also practice painting different textures, such as fabric and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and composition.
step 02
Establish the dark and light areas with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, figure, and objects.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones using layers of thin glazes.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, furniture, and architectural elements.
step 06
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the shadows and highlights.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the book, the flowers, and the figures in the window.
step 08
Glaze overall to unify the painting and adjust values.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Create the dark fabrics by mixing black with burnt umber and a hint of blue.

techniques