plate no. 4859

Portrait of the King's Mistress Nell Gwyn

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigurehairpearlsclothingfemale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing subtle skin tones. It also offers practice in rendering realistic hair and drapery.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the head tilt and hand placement.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the hair with thin, flowing brushstrokes, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 06
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add details such as the pearl necklace, earrings, and facial features.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final touches.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, a touch of red, and a hint of umber for shadows. Achieve the dark background by mixing black and umber. Use white and blue for the dress.

techniques