plate no. 4667

Portrait of P.A. Kostichev

oilRealismportraitportraitmanbeardbooksbookshelffigure

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 depicting textures like hair and fabric, and creating depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the bookshelf.
step 02
Establish the background by painting the bookshelf with varying shades of brown and beige, suggesting the books.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure using a limited palette of browns, grays, and blacks.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the beard and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting, adding highlights to the face and clothing.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to achieve a realistic and expressive portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and white, with small amounts of red for warmth. Use black and white to create varying shades of gray for the clothing and background.

techniques