plate no. 6705

Portrait of Count Feliks Feliksovich Sumarokov-Yelstov later Prince Yusupov

Valentin Serov, 1903

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguredogclothinginteriormarble

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, and also practice layering and blending techniques to achieve soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and dog.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the background and surrounding environment with broad strokes.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones of the figure, layering colors to create depth and realism.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the clothing, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Add details to the dog, focusing on its fur and facial features.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Achieve the dark tones of the clothing with black, umber, and a hint of blue.

techniques