plate no. 0835
Portrait of Ivan Timofeevich Savenkov in his St. Petersburg university student
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness, rendering skin tones, and creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting clothing and background elements with a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones, hair, clothing, and background.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes and values of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Work on the clothing, capturing the folds and shadows with subtle variations in color and value.
- step 07
Refine the background, ensuring that it complements the figure without distracting from it.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and umber, adjusting the proportions to create variations in warmth and coolness. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark neutrals for the background and clothing.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·value blocking
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
- →Neglecting the importance of subtle gradations in skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a high-quality canvas and artist-grade oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
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