plate no. 7925
Portrait of L.K. Naryshkin
Valentin Serov, 1910
suitable for beginners
This painting is a great exercise in capturing a likeness using a limited palette and focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading. Recreating it will help students develop their skills in figure drawing and understanding of light and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall figure and proportions using charcoal.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes and angles of the body and clothing.
- step 03
Define the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 04
Begin shading the figure and background with charcoal, focusing on the light source.
- step 05
Use pastel to add subtle color and highlights to the skin and clothing.
- step 06
Blend the charcoal and pastel to create smooth transitions and soft edges.
- step 07
Add final details and refine the drawing as needed.
- step 08
Use sanguine to add warmth to the skin tones.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · white · sanguine
secondary · light brown · cream
Mix white with charcoal to create various shades of gray. Use sanguine sparingly to add warmth to the skin tones.
techniques
- ·charcoal blending
- ·pastel shading
- ·figure drawing
- ·portraiture
- ·sanguine highlighting
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions can ruin the likeness.
- →Overworking the drawing can lead to a muddy or lifeless result.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
- →Using too much sanguine can make the skin look unnatural.
materials
surface · Drawing paper (toned or white)
required
- ·Charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·White pastel stick
- ·Sanguine chalk or pencil
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stumps or tortillions
- ·Drawing paper (toned or white)
- ·Fixative spray
optional
- ·Sandpaper block
- ·Chamois cloth
- ·Workable fixative
Use a smooth or slightly textured paper for best results. Toned paper can help to establish the mid-tones and make the highlights pop.
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