plate no. 0728

Wife of Juan Agustín Ceán Bermúdez

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitwomandresshatfigurebox

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and depicting soft light.

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 figure, focusing on proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the dress, hat, and skin tones.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the form and create depth.
step 05
Pay close attention to the highlights and shadows on the face and hands.
step 06
Add details to the dress, including the lace and ribbons.
step 07
Refine the hat and other accessories.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · viridian

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix various shades of green for the dress by combining yellow ochre, viridian, and ivory black. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use raw umber and ivory black for the dark background.

techniques