plate no. 8794

Portrait of Peter Kapitza

Boris Kustodiev, 1926

oil, canvasArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfigurechairclothingpipeinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering clothing folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes with thin washes of color, establishing the basic values.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Define the features of the face, focusing on accurate proportions and details.
step 05
Work on the clothing, rendering the folds and textures with careful brushwork.
step 06
Paint the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add details such as the pipe and the patterns on the chair.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious whole.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and titanium white. Use ivory black and raw umber for darker areas and shadows. Mix viridian and ultramarine blue for the clothing.

techniques