plate no. 0685

Portrait of Count Alexander Suvorov

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitarylandscapeskyclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering complex details in clothing and accessories. Students will also learn about creating depth and atmosphere in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the medals, buttons, and other accessories.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and cadmium red light, with small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the sash. Use burnt umber and raw sienna for the background.

techniques