plate no. 4504

Portrait of Irina Kustodiev with the dog Shumka

Boris Kustodiev, 1907

oilRealismportraitfiguredogflowersdressportraitinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness and expression, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the girl and the dog, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures.
step 03
Develop the values and tones in the skin, hair, and clothing, using subtle variations to create form.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the girl's expression.
step 05
Paint the flowers, using a variety of blues and greens to create depth and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the dog's fur, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add the final touches, such as the details in the background and the signature in the corner.
step 08
Glaze to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix white with small amounts of other colors to create the subtle variations in the girl's dress. Use ultramarine blue and white for the background, and mix burnt umber with white and a touch of red for the dog's fur.

techniques