plate no. 7892

Portrait of F. A. Borovsky

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguremilitaryfurbackground landscapeornaments

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice layering and blending techniques to achieve realistic textures like fur and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, clothing, and fur collar.
step 04
Start layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin tones and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to define the features.
step 06
Develop the textures of the fur collar and clothing using small brushstrokes and layering.
step 07
Paint the decorative elements and medals, focusing on accurate details and color.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Achieve the dark blues by mixing ultramarine blue with ivory black. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the gold details.

techniques

·portraiture
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Getting lost in the details too early, before establishing the overall values.
→Inaccurate color mixing, leading to unnatural skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red, yellow ochre, raw sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Painting medium