plate no. 3403

Portrait of Andrei Bely

Kuzmá Petrov-Vodkin, 1932

oilSymbolismportraitportraitmanfaceclothingchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating subtle variations in value to define form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and chair.
step 02
Establish the overall tonal values with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the clothing, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and careful observation.
step 06
Add the background and chair details, keeping them relatively simple and understated.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and values to create a sense of balance and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending burnt sienna, cadmium red light, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for darker areas and shadows. Add yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques