plate no. 1006

Emilia Van Nassau-Beverweerd

oilBaroqueportraitportraitwomandresspearlshairfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and depicting fabric folds and textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and dress.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, even tone.
step 03
Block in the main skin tones, paying attention to the highlights and shadows on the face and neck.
step 04
Begin layering the dress, using a mix of blues and whites to create the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the hair, using thin brushes to create individual strands and curls.
step 06
Carefully paint the pearls, using highlights and shadows to give them a realistic sheen.
step 07
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and cadmium red for skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the various shades of blue in the dress. Add small amounts of yellow ochre to the skin tone mix for warmth.

techniques