plate no. 6354

Balashov Alexander Dmitrievich

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformhatmedalhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering details in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through careful shading and highlighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the oval shape and the basic proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall composition.
step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the face and clothing.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, including the hat, medals, and sash.
step 06
Create the background with soft, blended tones.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the sense of realism.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the dark uniform color by mixing black and umber. Use glazes of red and umber to enrich the sash color.

techniques