plate no. 4892

Portrait of Boris Nikolayevich Bugaev (Andrey Bely)

Leon Bakst, 1905

lithographyArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in capturing likeness, understanding tonal values, and creating texture with line work. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to the shapes of the head, face, and clothing.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow using light pencil strokes.
step 04
Add darker values to define the features and create depth.
step 05
Develop the texture of the hair and clothing with short, directional strokes.
step 06
Use hatching and cross-hatching to build up tonal values and create a sense of form.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and refine the drawing as needed.

color palette

primary · ochre · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · raw sienna · white

Mix ochre with small amounts of burnt umber and white to achieve the skin tones. Use ivory black sparingly to create the darkest values.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·contour drawing
·tonal shading
·line variation

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the importance of tonal values in creating depth and form.
→Using too much pressure when applying pencil strokes, resulting in a heavy, unnatural look.