plate no. 6643

The princess at the window (Princess Nesmeyana)

Viktor Vasnetsov, 1920

oilRomanticismmythological paintingfigurewindowinteriorprincessclothingchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes. Students will also learn to depict textures of different materials like cloth and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and window.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: the background, the princess's clothing, and the window.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using a limited palette and focusing on subtle value changes.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the window and background, creating a sense of depth.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the princess's expression.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw umber · viridian

Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white, with small amounts of alizarin crimson for warmth. Achieve the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of white. Use raw umber and white for the window frame.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·color mixing
·rendering fabric
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, leading to a harsh or unnatural look.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 12x16
·oil paints (burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, titanium white, alizarin crimson, raw umber, viridian)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·#2 round brush
·#6 flat brush