plate no. 2201
Portrait of A. N. Plescheev
Mykola Yaroshenko, 1888
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted gray and brown tones.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and hands using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Begin building up the details of the face, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Render the beard with loose, expressive brushstrokes, capturing the texture and volume.
- step 06
Paint the clothing with broad strokes, focusing on the folds and drapery.
- step 07
Refine the details of the hands, paying attention to the bone structure and wrinkles.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, and white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or red to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value studies
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Using too much contrast, resulting in a harsh and unrealistic image.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints: ivory black, raw umber, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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