plate no. 2320

Portrait of Alexandra of Denmark

Luke Fildes, 1905

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredressjewelrycrownroyal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabrics and textures, and understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in depicting intricate details like jewelry and embroidery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the dress, drapery, and skin tones.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying close attention to accurate values and subtle color shifts.
step 05
Develop the textures of the fabrics, using layering and glazing techniques.
step 06
Add the intricate details of the jewelry, crown, and embroidery, using fine brushes.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall color harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · gold

Achieve the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Skin tones are created using a mix of titanium white, cadmium red, and a small amount of burnt umber and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to create the blue sash.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering fabric
·depicting jewelry

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Creating flat, lifeless textures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 0-6)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags