plate no. 5273

Portrait of Boris Yuon, Artist's Son

Konstantin Yuon, 1912

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigureboyinteriorbookspainting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations, as well as layering brushstrokes 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 figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle color variations in the face and hands.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, books, and background, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Refine the facial features and add highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 06
Add the details of the background paintings and the wall.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to create a cohesive composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows. Add small amounts of green to the skin to create realistic shadows.

techniques