plate no. 8767

Portrait of Queen Mariana de Austria as a Widow

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurenuntablechairinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using value and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and key elements like the table and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, muted tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the white dress and black habit.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to proportions and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the details of the hands and the objects on the table, such as the quill and paper.
step 06
Add the details of the chair and the patterned floor.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to enhance the richness of the colors and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use ivory black thinned with medium to create the dark blacks of the habit and table.

techniques

·Underpainting
·Glazing
·Chiaroscuro
·Portraiture
·Value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Making the blacks too flat and lifeless.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags