plate no. 6105

Portrait of Alexandra of Denmark. the Dog is Thought to Be a Japanese Chin Called Punch.

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfiguredogdressjewelryfabric

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 fabrics and textures with subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the dog.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of blended reds and browns, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress, skin tones, and hair, using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the skin tones with subtle layers of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the dress, including the sheer fabric and the folds, using a combination of blending and dry brushing.
step 06
Paint the dog, focusing on capturing its unique features and fur texture.
step 07
Add the jewelry and other accessories, paying attention to their reflective qualities.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, ensuring that the overall painting is balanced and harmonious.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use black and umber for the dark areas of the dress, and mix reds and browns for the background.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the fabrics and textures.
→Getting lost in the details and losing sight of the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre, raw sienna, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife