plate no. 1427

Crown princess Elizabeth, the future empress

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurefacehairclothingoval

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on subtle skin tone variations and soft blending. Students can develop skills in capturing likeness and creating a sense of depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic oval shape and the figure's head and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone brown.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face and body using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on accurate shapes and values.
step 06
Refine the hair, suggesting curls and highlights with delicate brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a harmonious and realistic effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and hair.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and add a touch of blue to cool the shadows. For the lips, mix cadmium red with a touch of burnt umber and white.

techniques