plate no. 9879

Portrait of a member of the State Council of the book A. N. Holytsyna

Karl Bryullov, 1841

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigureinteriordeskchairplant

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, desk, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of color, such as the background wall, clothing, and furniture.
step 03
Develop the skin tones of the figure, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Refine the details of the clothing, including the folds, buttons, and decorations.
step 05
Add details to the desk and surrounding objects, such as the books, papers, and plants.
step 06
Work on the background elements, including the painting on the wall and the doorway.
step 07
Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the shadows and highlights throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final details and refine the overall composition to achieve a polished and realistic look.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray and blue for the clothing. Use red and yellow ochre to create the skin tones, adjusting with white and umber for highlights and shadows. Mix greens for the plants using blue, yellow, and umber.

techniques