plate no. 0458

Portrait of Alesha Repin (Age of Pushkin)

Ilya Repin, 1916

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurebookshelfstatueinteriorartist

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness and mood, and understanding how to use impasto brushstrokes to create texture and form. It also provides practice in rendering complex interior scenes with multiple objects and light sources.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure, statue, and bookshelf.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the large masses of the figure's clothing, skin tones, and the background.
step 03
Develop the skin tones using a limited palette and blending techniques to create smooth transitions.
step 04
Add details to the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Work on the statue, using a variety of greens and browns to create the illusion of bronze.
step 06
Develop the background, adding details to the bookshelf and other objects in the room.
step 07
Use impasto brushstrokes to add texture and dimension to the painting, particularly in the figure's clothing and hair.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition and color palette.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · viridian · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the statue's color by mixing viridian, burnt umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Darken colors with burnt umber and lighten with white.

techniques