plate no. 1955

Portrait of the historian and archaeologist Ivan Egorovich Zabelin

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurebooksfurniturebearddesk

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 depicting complex details like books and furniture.

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, desk, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, focusing on the bookshelf and wall, using loose brushstrokes to suggest detail.
step 04
Work on the figure, starting with the face and hands, gradually building up layers of color and detail.
step 05
Pay close attention to the beard, using a variety of brushstrokes to capture its texture and volume.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing and furniture, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition, ensuring that the focal point is clear and the colors are balanced.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shadows and neutral tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not paying enough attention to the proportions of the figure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, yellow ochre, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags