plate no. 4387

Count Ivan Grigoryevich Chernyshov

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistoricalman

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as rendering complex details like fabric and ornamentation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the clothing, focusing on the overall color and value.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones with layers of thin paint, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the details of the clothing, including the gold embroidery, ribbons, and medals.
step 07
Pay close attention to the lace details on the cuffs and collar.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of black; create the green of the vest by mixing viridian green, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Getting lost in the details of the clothing before establishing the overall form.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.