plate no. 7986

Alexander II, Zar of Russia

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformroyaltyhistorical figure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of facial features, as well as practice in depicting complex textures like fabric and gold embroidery. It also provides experience in creating subtle value gradations to model form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and torso.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the uniform and face.
step 03
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 04
Begin adding details to the uniform, including the gold embroidery, medals, and buttons.
step 05
Work on the texture of the fabric, using small brushstrokes to create the illusion of depth and dimension.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the gold embroidery to make it appear more realistic.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix ivory black and burnt umber for the dark uniform. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red light for the gold details. Mix ultramarine blue with white for the ribbons.

techniques