plate no. 7170

Echo of Bygone Days

Konstantin Somov, 1903

gouache, watercolor, paperSymbolismportraitportraitfiguredressinteriorwindowchair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and rendering the delicate folds and textures of fabric. It also provides practice in creating atmospheric perspective and suggesting details rather than rendering them precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, dress, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and the shadows on the figure.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, using thin washes of color and building up the values gradually.
step 04
Paint the dress, focusing on capturing the subtle variations in tone and texture. Use dry brush technique for the lace.
step 05
Add the details of the chair and the shawl, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the jewelry and the highlights on the dress.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the dress's off-white color by adding small amounts of black or umber to white. Create the darker background tones by mixing black, umber, and a touch of blue.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
→Using colors that are too saturated and not capturing the subtle tones of the painting.
→Struggling to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and perspective.