plate no. 4472

Woman Holding a Balance

oil, canvasBaroquegenre paintingfigureinteriorjewelrytablepaintingscales

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding the use of light and shadow to create depth and form. It also provides practice in creating a sense of atmosphere and mood through subtle color variations.

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 to establish the composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, table, and other key elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and large shapes like the woman's dress and the table.
step 03
Develop the values and tones, paying close attention to the light source and how it affects the forms.
step 04
Start refining the details of the figure, including the face, hands, and clothing.
step 05
Work on the still life elements on the table, focusing on the textures and reflections of the jewelry and other objects.
step 06
Add the details of the painting in the background, capturing its overall tone and composition.
step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values, colors, and details as needed.
step 08
Add final glazes to enhance the depth and richness of the colors.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · vermilion

Achieve the subtle grays and browns by mixing ivory black, titanium white, and small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber. The deep blues are achieved by mixing ultramarine blue and ivory black, and glazing with ultramarine. Skin tones are achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of vermilion.

techniques