plate no. 3958

Nikolai Mordvinov

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothinghistoricalmale

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering clothing details. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure and the main elements of the clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the gold trim and buttons.
step 06
Develop the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Apply a thin glaze to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · Prussian blue · cadmium yellow

Mix different shades of skin tone by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use Prussian blue and cadmium yellow to create the green in the clothing. Add white to lighten the colors.

techniques