plate no. 0618

Portrait of the Composer Anton Rubinstein

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguremanchairclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted greens and browns, paying attention to subtle value shifts.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure, including the face, hair, and clothing, using simplified shapes and values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle details like highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the clothing and chair, adding details like folds, buttons, and textures.
step 06
Work on the hands, paying attention to their form and gesture.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and details as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Darken colors with burnt umber and black, and lighten with white. Use thin glazes to build up depth and richness.

techniques