plate no. 8177

Axel Bakunts

Eduard Isabekyan, 1960

oil, canvasSymbolismportraitportraitmountainsskyfigurevillageclouds

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, atmospheric perspective, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a landscape through simplified forms and color relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, mountains, and village.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the sky, mountains, village, and figure using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the figure's clothing and the shadows in the landscape.
step 04
Begin building up the texture and details in the mountains and clouds with short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the features of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 06
Add details to the village, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall impression.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of blue and white for the sky. Use burnt sienna and white with touches of red and yellow for the skin tones. Combine raw umber and ultramarine blue for the darker areas of the clothing and landscape.

techniques