plate no. 9964
Portrait of Sergei Diaghilev
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing with a limited palette, and understanding cubist principles of simplified forms. Students will also practice creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and clothing, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the background with a light blue wash, creating the radiating light effect.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the face and hair with mid-tone blues, defining the planes of the face.
- step 04
Add darker blues and purples to create shadows and define facial features like the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Paint the checkered pattern of the shirt, using varying shades of blue, purple, and gray.
- step 06
Add the blue tie, ensuring it stands out against the shirt pattern.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, adding highlights and subtle variations in color.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Ultramarine Blue · Titanium White
secondary · Dioxazine Purple · Payne's Gray
Mix different shades of blue by adding white for highlights and purple or gray for shadows. Use thin washes for the background and thicker paint for the facial features and clothing.
techniques
- ·Blocking in
- ·Dry brushing
- ·Color mixing
- ·Layering
- ·Scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overblending, which can flatten the image.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Making the checkered pattern too uniform.
- →Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White, Dioxazine Purple, Payne's Gray)
- ·Round brushes (various sizes)
- ·Flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
optional
- ·Easel
- ·Apron
- ·Rags
Use good quality paints for better color mixing and longevity. A medium can help with blending and drying time.
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