plate no. 6466

Felia Litvinne

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurehairfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering soft skin tones. It will also teach them how to create depth and form using subtle value changes and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones, hair, and background.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, capturing the folds and highlights.
step 07
Refine the background, creating a soft and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create shadows and depth. Add small amounts of blue to cool down skin tones.

techniques