plate no. 6537

Portrait of Georgi Gerasimov

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanshirtfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and subtle light variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, layering subtle variations of color to create depth and form.
step 04
Pay close attention to the highlights and shadows on the face to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Develop the details of the shirt, using soft brushstrokes to suggest the folds and wrinkles of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure without distracting from it.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the eyes, hair, and other key areas.
step 08
Review the painting as a whole and make any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones in shadow areas.

techniques