plate no. 7500

Mary, Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay

John Duncan, 1929

oilSymbolismhistory paintingfigureshistorical sceneinteriortextclothingportrait

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex figures and drapery, as well as understanding how to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background scene, paying attention to the details and textures.
step 04
Refine the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and accessories, such as the lace and jewelry.
step 06
Work on the facial features, capturing the expressions and likenesses of the figures.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · crimson red · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or raw umber to dull the hues. Use thin glazes to build up color depth and create subtle variations.

techniques