plate no. 4896
Portrait of Ivan Golubovsky
Oleksa Novakivskyi, 1909
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing loose, expressive brushwork to create texture and depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the main value areas with a thin wash of color.
- step 03
Block in the skin tones, paying attention to subtle color variations.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, using loose brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add details to the background, such as the trees and sky.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · viridian
Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and mix greens with blue, yellow, and a touch of brown.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details
- →Incorrect proportions
- →Muddy skin tones
- →Ignoring value relationships
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·painting easel
- ·color chart
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
