plate no. 2067

Woman with Tambourine

oilNeoclassicismportraitfigureportraittambourinedressjewelryheadband

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and tambourine.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, leaving room for the figure to emerge.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, dress, and tambourine, using thin washes.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the dress, using a combination of blending and layering.
step 06
Add details to the tambourine, including the rim and any decorative elements.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final details, such as the jewelry and the texture of the fabric.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The dress is primarily white with subtle variations of blue and pink. The background is a dark mix of black and umber.

techniques