plate no. 8331

Portrait of the writer Ossip Schubin (pseudonym of Aloisia Kirschner)

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitwomanfigureclothingjewelryface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle skin tones and rendering delicate fabrics. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, even tone, gradually building up the darkness.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face and clothing, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and jewelry, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the face and clothing.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the hair and the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna. Use ivory black diluted with medium for the dark background and clothing.

techniques