plate no. 3986

Portrait of Evdokiya Nikolaevna Glebova, the Artist's Sister

Pavel Filonov, 1915

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurechairflowersdressinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict complex patterns and textures in fabric and furniture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color, focusing on the dark background and the general tones of the figure and chair.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering subtle variations of color, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create form.
step 04
Work on the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the dress and the ruffles of the blouse.
step 05
Render the patterns on the chair fabric, breaking down the complex design into manageable shapes and colors.
step 06
Add the floral details in the background, focusing on the shapes and colors of the flowers and leaves.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark background, and mix viridian with yellow ochre for the chair fabric.

techniques