plate no. 3048

Young woman

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurewomanhairclothingdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone blending, and rendering of drapery folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through value changes.

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 head, shoulders, and drapery.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of skin tone with a mid-tone mixture.
step 04
Begin layering lighter and darker values to define the form of the face and neck.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Paint the hair, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Render the drapery, using light and shadow to create the illusion of folds and texture.
step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding details as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Darken with burnt umber and black. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the dark background.

techniques