plate no. 0672
Portrait of the Author Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin
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.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, leaving space for the figure.
- 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 eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the beard and hair, using layering and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Work on the clothing, capturing the folds and shadows.
- step 07
Add details to the hands and chair.
- step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and red to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·grisaille underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Making the skin tones too flat and lifeless.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light 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 toned canvas to help establish the overall value structure.
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