plate no. 7211

Portrait of Greate russian empress Catherine II

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguredraperylandscapefoliagerainbow

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 complex drapery and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the major shadow areas.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Work on the drapery, paying attention to the folds and how light interacts with the fabric.
step 05
Develop the background, including the landscape and architectural elements.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the details of the clothing and accessories.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Create variations in the drapery by mixing burnt umber with ivory black and titanium white. Mix greens for foliage with ultramarine blue and yellow ochre.

techniques