plate no. 1208

Mika Morozov

Valentin Serov, 1901

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfigureportraitchairchildindoorclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow on a figure and creating a sense of depth through subtle color variations and loose brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, figure's clothing, hair, and chair.
step 03
Establish the light source and begin to define the shadows and highlights on the figure and clothing.
step 04
Develop the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the chair and background, maintaining a loose and impressionistic style.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of form.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and clothing.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, and a touch of umber. Use umber and black to create the darker tones in the background and chair. Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create highlights.

techniques