plate no. 7414
Ivan Alexandrovich Nabokov, Russian General
experienced study
Students would develop skills in realistic skin tone mixing, metallic surface rendering for the gold details, and understanding how to create depth through atmospheric perspective in portrait backgrounds.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a detailed pencil drawing establishing proportions and facial features
- step 02
Block in the basic flesh tones using warm ochres and cadmiums
- step 03
Establish the dark uniform base with ultramarine and burnt umber mixtures
- step 04
Paint the atmospheric background using loose, broad strokes
- step 05
Build up facial modeling with careful value transitions
- step 06
Add the red collar and decorative elements
- step 07
Paint the gold braiding and metallic details with careful highlight placement
- step 08
Refine facial features and add final details to medals and textures
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · raw ochre
secondary · cadmium yellow · titanium white · raw sienna · prussian blue
Skin tones require warm ochres mixed with cadmium red and white; gold details need yellow ochre with cadmium yellow and white highlights
techniques
- ·glazing for skin luminosity
- ·scumbling for atmospheric background
- ·detail brush control
- ·metallic surface rendering
- ·color temperature variation
common pitfalls
- →overworking facial details too early
- →making gold details too yellow
- →neglecting color temperature in shadows
- →rushing the uniform's fabric texture
materials
surface · primed canvas or linen board
required
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#0 detail brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red medium
- ·raw ochre
- ·titanium white
- ·canvas 16x20
optional
- ·glazing medium
- ·palette knife
- ·#4 filbert brush
- ·cadmium yellow light
High-quality brushes essential for smooth skin rendering and fine detail work on medals
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