plate no. 9318
Portrait of Morkov
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and their features.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin, neutral tone.
- step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the faces, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Gradually build up the skin tones with thin layers of paint, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, adding details such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · Prussian blue
Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white, with small amounts of raw umber for shadows. Use ivory black and Prussian blue to create the dark tones for the clothing and background.
techniques
- ·portrait sketching
- ·value studies
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions
- →muddy skin tones
- →over-blending
- →neglecting the background
- →lack of contrast
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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