plate no. 4152

Portrait of the writer Mikhail Evgrafovich Saltykov (N. Shchedrin)

oilRealismportraitportraitfigurebeardclothingmanface

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portrait proportions, rendering realistic skin tones, and capturing subtle light and shadow to create depth. It also provides practice in depicting textures like hair and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark green, allowing for variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, hair, and clothing using simplified values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the nose, eyes, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Work on the clothing, focusing on the folds and creases to create a sense of form.
step 07
Add highlights to the face, hands, and clothing to enhance the sense of realism.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · viridian · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, and a touch of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Achieve the dark greens by mixing viridian with ivory black and a touch of raw umber.

techniques