plate no. 1560

Portrait of L. Rukavishnikova

oilRealismportraitportraitchilddogchairclothingfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering textures, such as fabric and fur, and in working with a limited palette to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the dog.
step 02
Establish the background with dark, muted tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and the dog with broad strokes.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Render the fur of the dog, using short, broken strokes to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by combining titanium white, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber or yellow ochre. Use ivory black and ultramarine blue to create deep shadows. Add small amounts of red or yellow to darken colors instead of only using black.

techniques

·portrait painting
·blending
·layering
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a flat or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags