plate no. 4800

Catherine the Great

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingfurjewelryhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and textures, as well as understanding light and shadow to create depth and form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and detail in portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light pencil sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the portrait, such as the fur hat and shadows on the face, using a dark gray or black.
step 03
Begin layering lighter tones to define the mid-tones and highlights on the face, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle gradations of tone to create a sense of volume and form.
step 05
Add details to the jewelry, fur texture, and facial features, using fine brushes or pencils.
step 06
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding contrast where needed.
step 07
Soften edges and blend tones to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white in different ratios. Add small amounts of raw umber or yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques