plate no. 2270

La Reina Isabel I De Castilla

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresscrowntableinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict complex drapery and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark browns and greens, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the dress and then moving on to the face and hands.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Develop the drapery of the dress, paying attention to the way the fabric folds and drapes.
step 06
Add the details of the crown, jewelry, and other accessories.
step 07
Refine the details of the table and the book, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · crimson red · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · gold ochre · prussian blue · emerald green

Mix crimson red and ivory black to create the deep shadows in the dress. Use raw umber and titanium white to create the skin tones, and add a touch of crimson red for warmth. Mix gold ochre and raw umber for the gold details.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·drapery

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Not paying enough attention to the values and creating a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (crimson red, ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, gold ochre, prussian blue, emerald green)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags