plate no. 7070

Portrait of Dmytro Levitsky

Oleksa Novakivskyi, 1933

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfigurelandscapemountainswaterarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the landscape elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, including the sky, mountains, and water.
step 03
Block in the basic shapes and values of the figure, paying attention to proportions.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the forms and create depth in the landscape.
step 05
Develop the details of the figure's face, using a variety of skin tones and brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and other elements, such as the chair and the architectural feature.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and red for the skin tones. Use blue and white for the sky, and mix greens and blues for the water. Create depth in the mountains with muted reds and browns.

techniques