plate no. 0809

Portrait of Queen Charlotte

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguredresscrowncolumndrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as techniques for depicting complex fabric textures and patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the skin tones of the face and hands, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Begin rendering the details of the dress and drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add the intricate patterns and textures to the dress using fine brushes and careful brushstrokes.
step 06
Paint the background elements, such as the column and drapery, using a limited palette of muted colors.
step 07
Refine the details of the crown and other accessories.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Create the gold fabric by layering yellow ochre, burnt umber, and touches of gold paint.

techniques