plate no. 2329

Old Teacher. Portrait of Mykola Murashko

Oleksandr Murashko, 1906

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurebeardhatlandscapeclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and rendering textures in the face and beard. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding lighter tones.
step 03
Develop the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Work on the beard, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest the texture of the hair.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing and hat, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Add the background elements, using looser brushstrokes and muted colors to create a sense of distance.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and harmonious image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the realism and visual interest of the painting.

color palette

primary · black · white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create muted greens for the background landscape.

techniques

·portraiture
·alla prima
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·atmospheric perspective

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can lead to a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, which can result in a flat and lifeless image.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value, which can make the painting look monotonous.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure, which can distort the likeness.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20 inches
·Oil paints: black, white, yellow ochre, raw umber, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags