plate no. 9349
Portrait of composer and journalist Pavel Ivanovich Blaramberg
Ilya Repin, 1884
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practice creating depth and form through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure, book, and other elements.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted green-gray.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and book using simplified values.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
- step 05
Develop the details of the hair and beard, using short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add details to the book, table, and other elements, focusing on texture and form.
- step 07
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights, ensuring the painting has a cohesive and finished look.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use small amounts of ultramarine blue or yellow ochre to adjust the temperature of the grays. Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre.
techniques
- ·Underpainting
- ·Value blocking
- ·Scumbling
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Losing the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be added to the paint to improve flow and drying time.
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