plate no. 2178

Empress Alexandria Fedorovna

Christina Robertson, 1851

watercolor, paperAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredressinteriorfurniturepainting

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light pencil sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure and the background elements.
step 02
Apply a thin wash of diluted colors to establish the overall color scheme and values.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Render the dress, focusing on capturing the delicate folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the background, including the furniture, painting, and other decorative elements.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a soft, luminous effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of raw umber, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre to create the subtle skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the dress's blue accents. Mix raw umber and ivory black for the dark details.

techniques