plate no. 4328

Elisabeth Alexeievna Tsarina of Russia

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingcrownhistoricaljewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice in depicting fabric and detailed ornamentation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic oval shape and the figure's pose, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones and begin layering highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 05
Add the sash and other details, such as the crown and jewelry.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Add the fur trim, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Shadows are created by adding burnt umber and a small amount of blue. The gold is achieved by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and white for highlights.

techniques