plate no. 9412

Portrait of the writer D.L. Mordovtsev

Boris Kustodiev, 1901

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurebookschairbeardinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict form using subtle value changes and visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the skin, clothing, and background, focusing on accurate values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Develop the details of the beard, using small, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add details to the chair and books, simplifying the forms and focusing on the overall impression.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · viridian · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and umber to create the dark tones of the suit and background. Green hues are created by mixing yellow ochre and viridian.

techniques