plate no. 8478
A Man in a Russian Old Style Costume
Mikhail Vrubel, 1886
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in capturing a likeness with loose brushstrokes and simplified forms, while also exploring decorative patterns and limited color palettes. Recreating this will help students understand how to suggest detail rather than rendering it precisely.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of dark and light values using thinned paint.
- step 03
Establish the main features of the face, focusing on shapes and values rather than details.
- step 04
Begin adding the floral patterns on the clothing, simplifying the designs.
- step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the figure and clothing, using visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add subtle color variations to the background and clothing to create depth.
- step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of drama.
- step 08
Add final details to the face and floral patterns.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix blacks and umbers with white to create a range of grays and browns. Use small amounts of blue and yellow to create subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating too much contrast too early
- →Losing the overall sense of form
- →Making the floral patterns too symmetrical
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke visibility. Thin the paint with linseed oil to create a fluid consistency.
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