plate no. 5431

Elizabeth II

Arthur Pan, 1954

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelrycrownbackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting would help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in depicting fine details like jewelry and decorative elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color and pattern.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the dress, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones, using layers of thin paint to create subtle variations.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 06
Add details to the dress, jewelry, and other accessories.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and details.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · ivory black

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. The dress is primarily white with subtle variations of yellow ochre and umber. The blue sash is ultramarine blue with white highlights.

techniques