plate no. 8176

Woman with a Viola De Gamba

oilBaroqueportraitportraitwomanmusical instrumentdressjewelrymusic book

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth through value and color variations.

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 and proportions of the figure, instrument, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones, dress, and instrument.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in value and color.
step 05
Refine the details of the dress, instrument, and jewelry, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add the details of the music book and the background.
step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark tones of the dress. Mix red with burnt sienna to create the color of the instrument.

techniques