plate no. 1905
Portrait of Anna Olenina
Orest Kiprensky, 1828
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in capturing likeness, rendering soft values, and creating realistic textures in hair and clothing. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing and blending.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of features.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes of the face, hair, and clothing with light washes of color.
- step 03
Start building up the values in the face, focusing on the shadows and highlights to create form.
- step 04
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Develop the hair, using short, directional strokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add the necklace and any other accessories.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding details as needed.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium red to create warm skin tones.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Using too much contrast, resulting in a harsh or unrealistic appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone and color.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·charcoal pencils
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more harmonious color palette.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Romantic Landscape
Karl Lessing
Self-portrait with his brother Francesco
Giuseppe Tominz
Oenone Refuse de Secourir Pâris au Siège de Troie
Léon Cogniet
Duke of Alba
Francisco Goya
Blick Aus Dem Wald Ins Tal
Andreas Achenbach
Young Girl Fixing Her Hair
Sophie Gengembre Anderson
The Plough Inn
William Shayer
Hudson River Landscape
Johann Hermann Carmiencke