plate no. 5064

Portrait of Prince V. N. Tenishev

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value changes to create form. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through careful color mixing and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of dark browns and reds.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, using subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Add highlights to the face, hands, and clothing to create a sense of form.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, ensuring that the overall composition is balanced.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of crimson. Use black and umber for the dark clothing, and add small amounts of blue or crimson to adjust the temperature.

techniques