plate no. 0155

Portrait of A.A. Radischev

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryuniformmanepaulettes

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait helps students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and depicting details like clothing and medals. 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
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, face, uniform, and epaulettes.
step 03
Start refining the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the uniform, including the collar, buttons, and medals.
step 05
Add the details of the hair, mustache, and facial features.
step 06
Refine the epaulettes, capturing their texture and form.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic image.
step 08
Add final details and highlights.

color palette

primary · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the dark uniform color by mixing ivory black with a touch of ultramarine blue. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights.

techniques

·portraiture
·value studies
·color mixing
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
→Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
→Inaccurate depiction of the uniform details.
→Lack of attention to value and contrast.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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