plate no. 7399

Portrait of Alexandre Benois

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfigurechairinteriorreadingpainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and atmosphere using a limited color palette.

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, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing and chair, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 05
Add the painting in the background, keeping it soft and muted.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the texture of the paper and the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and adjust the colors as needed.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the darks, and add titanium white and a touch of yellow ochre for the highlights. Use raw sienna and white for the warmer tones in the skin and chair.

techniques