plate no. 4357

Portrait of Count Alexey Bobrinsky as a Child

oilRococoportraitportraitchilddresshatfigureornament

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of color and value to achieve a realistic effect.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the larger shapes of the figure.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle layers of color to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 04
Add details to the dress, hat, and ornament, carefully observing the patterns and textures.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and dimension.
step 07
Blend the edges of the forms to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the dark background by mixing black and burnt umber. Use red and white to create the pink hues in the ribbons.

techniques