plate no. 1726

The White Hat

oilRococoportraitportraitwomanhatclothinglacefeathers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering delicate fabrics like lace and feathers. It will also improve their understanding of soft lighting and blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the oval composition and the figure's basic proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the face, hat, and clothing with thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones using layers of subtle color variations, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 05
Carefully render the details of the hat, paying attention to the lace and feathers.
step 06
Paint the clothing, capturing the folds and drapery with soft brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the facial features, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · rose madder

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, rose madder, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Use ultramarine blue and white for the hat and clothing, adjusting the ratio for subtle variations in tone. Create the background with a mix of black, raw umber, and a touch of blue.

techniques