plate no. 0525

Portrait of Alexander Suvorov

Vasily Surikov, 1907

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryclothingmedalman

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in depicting complex details like medals and clothing.

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 outlining the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the general areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 03
Mix a range of skin tones using a limited palette and begin layering paint on the face, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Paint the clothing, including the collar, jacket, and medals, using a combination of broad strokes and finer details.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows on the face and clothing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the hair and any small accents, to complete the painting.
step 08
Step back and make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition and balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, burnt umber, cadmium red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows and create subtle variations in skin tone.

techniques