plate no. 2224

Nikolay Diomidovich Myakinin, Russian General

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryuniformepaulettesmedals

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice in depicting textures like fabric and metal.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted colors, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and uniform, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the details of the uniform, including the epaulettes, collar, and medals, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 07
Refine the background and blend the edges to create a cohesive composition.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue to create dark shadows and muted background tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overly harsh or unnatural skin tones.
→Lack of attention to detail in the uniform and medals.
→Insufficient blending of edges, resulting in a choppy or unfinished appearance.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags