plate no. 6958
Portrait of N. N. Evreinov
Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1927
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to define form. It also encourages simplification of details and a focus on essential shapes and values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
- step 03
Begin applying washes of color to the skin, hair, and clothing, building up layers gradually.
- step 04
Use bolder brushstrokes to define the edges of the forms and create texture.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using a fine brush.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and adjust the values as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix raw umber and white for skin tones, adding small amounts of red for warmth and blue for shadows. Use yellow ochre and raw umber for the hair. Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber for the dark clothing.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·wet-on-dry layering
- ·color mixing
- ·portrait sketching
- ·expressive brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·watercolor paints
- ·watercolor paper 140lb
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
- ·palette
- ·water container
- ·paper towels
- ·sketching pencil
optional
- ·masking fluid
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for layering. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve a variety of textures.
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