plate no. 5750
Portrait of Queen Wilhelmina in Coronation Robes
Thérèse Schwartze, 1898
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, fabric rendering, and capturing subtle variations in light and shadow to create form. It also offers practice in depicting textures like fur and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and throne.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, blending the edges to create depth.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the dress and robe, using light and shadow to define form.
- step 04
Begin layering the dress, focusing on the subtle color variations and the small floral details.
- step 05
Work on the fur trim of the robe, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add the red lining of the robe, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 07
Refine the facial features, using soft blending to create a realistic likeness.
- step 08
Add the jewelry and crown, using small brushes to capture the details and highlights.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber
secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw sienna
Mix various shades of white with small amounts of umber and ochre to create the off-white tones of the dress and fur. Use red and umber for the robe's lining. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·fabric rendering
- ·fur texture
- ·glazing
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the dress and fur.
- →Making the skin tones look flat or unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for layering.
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