plate no. 5114
Portrait of Otto Shmidt
Mikhaïl Nesterov, 1937
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict textures like fabric and paper.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, desk, and objects.
- step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes, focusing on the dark, muted tones.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the figure's face, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, desk, and objects, such as the books and telephone, using smaller brushes.
- step 06
Develop the textures of the beard, hair, and fabric with varied brushstrokes.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue for subtle variations. Darken colors with raw umber and ivory black.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (raw umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use a medium-grit canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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