plate no. 4731

Portrait of Konstantin Andreevich Pyatnitsky, director of Rishelievskaya and II men's gymnasium

oilRealismportraitportraitmanclothingglassesmustachebackground

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students can also learn to create depth and form using subtle value changes and soft blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber or raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall color and value.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the glasses and other accessories, focusing on their shape and reflective qualities.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and neutral tones.

techniques