plate no. 8776

Portrait of P. V. Engelgart

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including proportion, shading, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and details in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 02
Establish the basic skin tones with a light wash, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up the depth and form of the face, using subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Paint the hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture and volume.
step 05
Render the clothing, paying attention to the folds and creases in the fabric.
step 06
Add details such as the buttons, collar, and tie.
step 07
Refine the background with soft washes of color.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

Mix raw sienna and ivory black for the brown tones of the coat. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson for the purplish tones in the tie. Mix yellow ochre and titanium white for the skin tones.

techniques