plate no. 2977

Tzarina Praskovia Ioanovna

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitwomanclothinghistorical figurejewelryfur

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and subtle skin tone blending, as well as rendering textures like fabric and fur. Students will also learn about creating depth with value and color.

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, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and fur.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and hue.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the patterns and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Render the fur, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of texture.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve the red of the robe by mixing cadmium red with a touch of umber to darken it. The gold fabric is achieved by mixing yellow ochre with touches of burnt umber and white for highlights.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Getting lost in the details of the clothing before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, cadmium red, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags