plate no. 7170

Portrait of Peter the Great

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanhistorical figureclothing

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and subtle tonal variations in skin. Students can learn to create depth and form using a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, layering light and dark values.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and hair, using subtle brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Use ivory black and raw umber for dark areas and clothing.

techniques