plate no. 0210

Henryk Krajewski

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurebeardchairfurdrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering textures like fur and fabric. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through tonal variations and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and chair.
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 color areas: the background drapery, the figure's clothing, the chair, and the skin tones.
step 04
Begin building up the textures of the fur, beard, and fabric using layering and dry brush techniques.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 06
Add details to the chair and background drapery, maintaining a balance between detail and atmosphere.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth of shadows.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to completion.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of crimson. The dark clothing is a mix of black and umber, lightened with white for highlights. The drapery uses blues and greens muted with earth tones.

techniques