plate no. 2618

Portrait of Empress Elisabeth Alexeievna of Russia

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguredressjewelryhairshawl

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color blending for skin tones, and rendering of fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating soft, diffused lighting effects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark color, gradually building up darker tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, dress, shawl, and pillow, using light and shadow to define form.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth, and blending the skin tones smoothly.
step 05
Add details to the hair, creating texture and volume with small brushstrokes and varying shades of brown and blonde.
step 06
Work on the drapery of the dress and shawl, capturing the folds and highlights with careful brushwork.
step 07
Add the jewelry and other accessories, paying attention to their reflective qualities.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors, ensuring a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The blue shawl is created by mixing white with ultramarine blue and a hint of grey. The red pillow is a mix of cadmium red and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques