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home·artworks·Portrait of Sergei Rachmaninoff
Portrait of Sergei Rachmaninoff by Boris Grigoriev

plate no. 9487

Portrait of Sergei Rachmaninoff

Boris Grigoriev

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanfaceprofileclothing
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering subtle tonal variations in skin. It also provides practice in creating a dynamic background with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the head, neck, and shoulders.

  2. step 02

    Block in the background with light blue and white, using loose, expressive brushstrokes.

  3. step 03

    Establish the main shadow shapes on the face with a mid-tone brown.

  4. step 04

    Begin layering lighter and darker tones to define the form of the face, paying attention to the planes and contours.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes for precision.

  6. step 06

    Paint the hair with dark browns and blacks, adding highlights with lighter browns.

  7. step 07

    Render the clothing with simple dark tones, adding subtle highlights to the collar.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and adjust the values to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix raw umber and white for the base skin tone. Add burnt sienna for warmth and ultramarine blue to cool the tones in the shadows. Use white and ultramarine blue for the background, varying the ratio for different shades.

techniques

  • ·tonal layering
  • ·blending
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·portraiture

common pitfalls

  • →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
  • →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
  • →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that define the form.
  • →Making the background too busy or distracting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·ultramarine blue oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
  • ·flat brush (size 8)

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·medium gloss

Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.

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oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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