plate no. 3139

Entry of Queen Mary I with Princess Elizabeth into London in 1553

Byam Shaw, 1910

oilRomanticismhistory paintingfigurescrowdhistorical scenearchitectureroyal processionclothing

advanced study

Recreating this painting would develop skills in rendering complex figures and drapery, as well as understanding historical costume and creating a sense of depth in a crowded scene. Students will also learn about color harmony and how to create a focal point within a busy composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and placement of figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin to refine the figures, paying attention to anatomical accuracy and proportions.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds and textures, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the faces and clothing, including patterns and embellishments.
step 06
Work on the background elements, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows, adding highlights and details to create form.
step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and polished result.

color palette

primary · red · purple · gold · white

secondary · blue · green · brown · black

Achieve the rich purples by mixing red and blue, and create the gold tones by mixing yellow with browns and oranges. Use white to create highlights and lighten colors, and black to create shadows and deepen colors.

techniques