plate no. 0995

E. Komarovsky

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformhairclothing

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good exercise in portraiture, focusing on rendering realistic skin tones and textures using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. Students can also learn to depict fabric and clothing details with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of light and shadow with light washes.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones using layers of hatching and cross-hatching with colored pencils.
step 04
Define the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 05
Work on the clothing, using darker values for the shadows and lighter values for the highlights.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using short, curved strokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.
step 08
Adjust values and contrast to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by layering raw sienna, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ivory black and white to create the darks and lights in the clothing.

techniques