plate no. 8204

Portrait of academician Ivan Yanzhul

Vladimir Makovsky, 1907

oilRealismportraitportraitmanbookglassesbeardclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting textures and fabrics with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and background.
step 02
Establish the main value ranges with a thin wash of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of color, paying attention to subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 05
Paint the clothing and book, using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 06
Refine the background, blending and softening edges as needed.
step 07
Add final details, such as highlights and shadows, to enhance the realism of the painting.
step 08
Varnish the painting once it is completely dry.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use viridian green and yellow ochre to create the background color.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·glazing
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value, leading to a lack of realism.
→Getting the proportions wrong, resulting in a distorted likeness.
→Overworking the painting, causing it to lose its freshness and spontaneity.