plate no. 9795

Portrait of I. Korovets

Oleksa Novakivskyi, 1931

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremansuitbackgroundindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying a sense of personality.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes, focusing on the general color scheme and patterns.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and shadow, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth. Add subtle details to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Paint the suit and tie, using darker values to create depth and form.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the background to create a sense of space and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details and textures throughout the painting, using a variety of brushstrokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · sap green

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark neutrals for the suit.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Neglecting the background and its relationship to the figure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, sap green)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags