plate no. 4527

Portrait of Prince Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitfigureportraitviolinsheet musicclothingdrapery

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone blending. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and wood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the violin and sheet music.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the subtle gradations of tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the darks of the clothing and hair.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using a limited palette and blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the violin and sheet music, paying attention to the details of the wood grain and musical notation.
step 07
Refine the drapery and background, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved through subtle mixes of white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Dark clothing is created using a combination of black, umber, and a hint of blue.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Muddy skin tones due to over-blending
→Lack of attention to detail in the violin and sheet music
→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial layers

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (titanium white, ivory black, burnt umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags