plate no. 3918

Elisabeth Alexeievna

oilRococoportraitportraitwomandressjewelryfigurehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering delicate details like jewelry and fabric folds. It also provides practice in creating soft, blended transitions and capturing a likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of color.
step 03
Establish the basic shapes and values of the face, hair, and dress.
step 04
Begin layering and blending skin tones, focusing on highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add details such as jewelry and hair ornaments.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and details to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Use ultramarine blue and white for the cool tones in the shadows. Mix red and yellow ochre for the dress, adjusting the ratio for highlights and shadows.

techniques