plate no. 2905

Portrait of Golitsyna

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguredresshairfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, as well as blending techniques for soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of muted green/gray, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the major areas of color: skin tones, hair, dress, and shawl.
step 04
Begin layering and blending skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to define curls and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the dress and shawl, adding folds and highlights to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, ensuring accurate proportions and expression.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to adjust colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson

secondary · ivory black · viridian green

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the background by mixing viridian green, ivory black, and titanium white.

techniques