plate no. 6430
Portrait of Second Captain Vannovsky
Pavel Fedotov, 1849
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practice in rendering textures of fabric and metal.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, uniform, and background.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 04
Develop the details of the uniform, including the buttons, epaulettes, and medal.
- step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 06
Blend the edges of the forms to create a smooth transition.
- step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Create the uniform color by mixing ivory black and ultramarine blue. Use glazes of burnt umber to deepen shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·value studies
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
- →Overblending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Inaccurate color mixing, leading to unnatural skin tones.
- →Neglecting the subtle variations in value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve blending.
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