plate no. 0816

Portrait of Ilya Ehrenburg

Martiros Sarian, 1959

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanmountainsbuildingslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, mixing colors to match the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and background, using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix burnt sienna and ultramarine blue for the dark tones. Use white to lighten and cool the skin tones. Add yellow ochre for warmth and cadmium red for highlights.

techniques