plate no. 6864

Queen Elizabeth I

oilNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigureclothingjewelrylacehistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice in painting intricate details such as lace and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark red/brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, hair, and clothing with basic colors.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to subtle variations in skin tone and highlights.
step 05
Begin adding details to the clothing, including the lace collar, jewelry, and floral patterns.
step 06
Work on the hands, carefully rendering the fingers and the object being held.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a smooth finish.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the dark clothing base with ivory black and burnt umber. Use white and a touch of blue for the lace.

techniques