plate no. 0624

Portrait of the Artist B.M. Kustodiev

Boris Grigoriev, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanbookclothingchairinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression, as well as understanding how to simplify forms into planes of color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and book.
step 02
Establish the background color and major shapes, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin tones, clothing, and book, using simplified planes.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 05
Add details to the hands and book, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Develop the folds and textures of the clothing, using visible brushstrokes to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and expressive painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, and titanium white. Create darker values by adding ivory black to the primary colors. Use yellow ochre to warm up the highlights.

techniques