plate no. 5200

Portrait of Lieutenant-General Andrei Alexandrovich Nilus

Nikolai Kuznetsov, 1917

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformmedalmanclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering complex details like medals and uniform embellishments. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes and visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and the figure's uniform using thin washes.
step 03
Establish the basic values and skin tones of the face, focusing on accurate placement of features.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the facial features and create a sense of depth.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, including the medals, epaulettes, and other embellishments.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture to create depth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · titanium white

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use cadmium yellow and burnt sienna for the gold details. Mix ultramarine blue and ivory black for the dark blue of the uniform.

techniques

·portraiture
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall form.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unrealistic.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, titanium white)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags