plate no. 4257

Portrait of Đorđe Nikolajević

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothingmedals

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending and layering to create smooth transitions and realistic skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and major clothing elements.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of burnt umber and raw sienna, establishing the overall tone and creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Establish the main value ranges on the face, using a limited palette of earth tones and white to create highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, gradually refining the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the beard, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and dimension.
step 06
Block in the clothing with broad strokes, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add the red sash and collar, carefully blending the colors to create smooth transitions and subtle highlights.
step 08
Paint the medals, focusing on the details of the design and the way light reflects off the metal.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and white, with small amounts of red and blue for subtle variations. Darken shadows with ivory black and burnt umber. Mix red and yellow ochre for the red sash.

techniques