plate no. 9304

Portrait of Ludovic Sribarni

Ivan Mrkviсka, 1903

oilRealismportraitportraitchildfigureclothingtoy horsered background

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the toy horse on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and toy, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar, buttons, and folds, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the toy horse, capturing its form and texture with careful observation.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · white · black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Achieve the red background by mixing cadmium red with burnt umber for darker areas and adding white for highlights.

techniques