plate no. 5452

Mongolian Chiefs

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1932

oilExpressionismportraitportraitsmenclothingheadwearfaceshistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the three figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main areas of color for each figure, starting with the skin tones and then moving to the clothing and headwear.
step 04
Gradually build up the values and details in the faces, using layering and blending techniques to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and textures of the fabric, and the details of the hats.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figures, paying attention to the way the light and shadow define their forms.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Consider adding the artist's signature and the year.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix burnt sienna and white for the base skin tone, adding small amounts of red or yellow for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber for the dark clothing, adding white to lighten the values. Mix black and blue for the darker areas of the clothing.

techniques