Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is one of my favourite paintings, and I had the opportunity to delve into the techniques of the Old Masters in oil painting classes with Canada's master painter, Paul Chizik.

I began by preparing my canvas with a toned ground of earthy raw umber. This neutral base was crucial for accurately judging colours and values. Next, I established the major forms, values, and light distribution with a monochrome underpainting in burnt sienna. I meticulously rendered the girl's face, ensuring the anatomy was precise for the subsequent layers.

Colours were then introduced in thin, mostly transparent layers. For the skin tones, I built luminosity by layering washes of warm pinks, reds, and yellows over the monochrome base, allowing the underlying values to show through. Her turban was developed in stages, starting with a darker, muted blue and gradually adding brighter, more saturated layers.

I also incorporated scumbling, applying opaque and semi-opaque layers of lighter paint over darker areas, which allowed subtle underlying colours to peek through. The background was developed with multiple glazes of dark, rich greens and browns, creating that deep, atmospheric feeling that makes the girl truly stand out.

What a thrill it was to see this painting develop! I'm incredibly happy with the serenity and timeless beauty I was able to capture in this reproduction. Thank you, Paul Chizik!

Note: Canadian copyright laws permit sales of reproductions following 70 years after the artist’s death.