plate no. 3819

Alexander Mordvinov

oilRococoportraitfigureportraitclothinghistoricalmaleuniform

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of facial features, as well as understanding color mixing for skin tones and fabrics.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and clothing.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the uniform, including the gold trim and buttons.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure.
step 07
Add final details, such as the lace cuffs and hair details.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium green

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Achieve the green of the uniform by mixing cadmium green with ivory black and yellow ochre. Create gold tones by mixing cadmium yellow light with raw sienna and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques