plate no. 3672
Portrait of Nikolai Lanin
Vasily Perov, 1869
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in creating subtle tonal variations and soft edges.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic oval shape and the figure's pose, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the background with a muted green or gray, blending it softly.
- step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, using thin layers of color and blending carefully.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
- step 07
Refine the beard and hair, paying attention to the direction of the strands.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna · ivory black
secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · viridian
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Muted greens can be created by mixing viridian with burnt umber and white.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Neglecting the importance of soft edges.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, raw sienna, ivory black, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, viridian)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags or paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas for easier value establishment.
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