plate no. 9398

Portrait of Anna Grilikhes

Boris Grigoriev, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatfur stoleclothingjewelry

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and expressive artwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hat.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hat, and clothing, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the fur stole, using short, directional brushstrokes to create the texture of the fur.
step 06
Add details to the hat and jewelry, using darker values to create contrast.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final touches to the painting.
step 08
Varnish the painting when dry to protect the surface and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of alizarin crimson or ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in color temperature.

techniques