plate no. 1514

Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformmanhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of details like the uniform and facial hair. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and the oval format.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values: the face, uniform, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, mixing a range of values and hues.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, mouth, and mustache.
step 05
Paint the uniform, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add the details of the buttons and shoulder boards.
step 07
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. The uniform is primarily ivory black with subtle hints of ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Use white to lighten values and create highlights.

techniques

·portrait sketching
·color mixing for skin tones
·blending
·rendering details
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions
→Flat or muddy skin tones
→Overworking details
→Ignoring the subtle value changes

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife