plate no. 2038

Portrait of I. I. Dmitriyev

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigureclothingmedalhistorical figure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color mixing for skin tones, and rendering of fabric and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones by layering and blending colors to create depth and form.
step 04
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
step 06
Paint the medals and decorations with precise detail.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall values to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use black and umber for the dark clothing, adding white for highlights. Achieve the red of the sash by mixing cadmium red with a touch of umber for shadow.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·layering
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting subtle value changes in the skin tones.
→Getting lost in the details of the medals before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: ivory black, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Easel