plate no. 9629

Portrait of the Author Vladimir Dahl

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurechairbeardclothingold man

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting textures like fabric and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, paying attention to subtle variations in value.
step 03
Block in the major shapes of the figure: head, torso, arms, and hands.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Render the hair and beard, using small brushstrokes to create texture and individual strands.
step 07
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red to warm up the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue to create the dark tones of the chair.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags