plate no. 7312

A Man with a Pipe

Boris Grigoriev, 1931

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanpipebuildinganimalslandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and understanding how to create depth and form with bold brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes into geometric forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch outlining the main shapes and composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background colors, starting with the sky and then the building and landscape elements.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones on the face, using a limited palette and focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the unique characteristics of the subject.
step 05
Paint the clothing, using bold brushstrokes and simplified shapes.
step 06
Add the animals and other details in the background, maintaining a sense of depth and perspective.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · blue · brown · white

secondary · grey · yellow · black

Mix skin tones using a combination of red, brown, yellow, and white. Achieve the blue background by mixing blue with white and a touch of black. Create variations of brown for the building and landscape by mixing brown with yellow, red, and black.

techniques