plate no. 6108

Woman with a Lyre

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigurelandscapetreeslyreclassicalportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as landscape painting techniques for creating depth and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the background landscape with thin washes of color, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin to develop the skin tones with subtle layers of color, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the drapery, using soft brushstrokes to create folds and texture.
step 06
Add details to the lyre and the small figure within it.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and hair, capturing the expression and features.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create atmospheric perspective in the landscape by adding blue to the distant hills.

techniques