plate no. 0036

Portrait of Ivan Zabelin

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothinginterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere through subtle value shifts and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and color.
step 04
Start building up the skin tones, using layers of color to create depth and realism.
step 05
Focus on capturing the likeness of the subject, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the clothing and hands, paying attention to the folds and wrinkles.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium yellow

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use raw umber and ivory black for shadows and dark areas. Add small amounts of cadmium yellow for highlights.

techniques