plate no. 4310

Portrait of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigureclothingcrownjewelryempress

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the pose and overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Begin to define the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the fur trim and the decorative elements.
step 06
Paint the jewelry, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and sparkle.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and realistic image.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · purple

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The clothing involves mixing blacks and purples with white to create a range of values.

techniques