plate no. 4224

Therese Rockert

oil, canvasBiedermeierportraitportraitfiguredresshairflowersbow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as rendering fabrics and details like lace.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, focusing on proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a muted gray, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and body using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, gradually building up depth and realism.
step 05
Paint the dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 06
Add details such as the lace, hair, and bow, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Paint the flowers and foliage, keeping them soft and slightly out of focus.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · sap green

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber or blue for shadows. Achieve the black dress by mixing ivory black with a touch of burnt umber and ultramarine blue. Use white to create lighter tones in the dress.

techniques