plate no. 2661

Portrait of Artist Ivan Pokhitonov

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in using loose brushwork to create texture and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the hair and beard, using loose brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Define the clothing and background, using similar techniques to create depth and interest.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of yellow ochre and red. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark clothing and hair.

techniques

·alla prima
·dry brush
·scumbling
·value studies
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Creating muddy or dull skin tones.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in value and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·ivory black oil paint
·raw umber oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·round brushes
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium

Use a medium-sized canvas to allow for detail without feeling overwhelmed. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the initial value structure.

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