plate no. 1860

Portrait of Tsar Peter I

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurecrownrobetablearchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through careful value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Develop the background elements, including the architectural details and the cityscape.
step 04
Begin refining the figure, paying close attention to the facial features and the folds of the robe.
step 05
Add details to the crown, book, and other objects on the table.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the realism of the painting.
step 08
Glaze with thin washes of color to unify the painting and create subtle color variations.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · gold

Mix various shades of gold and yellow ochre for the robe. Use burnt umber and ivory black for the dark tones in the clothing and background. Mix red and white for the flesh tones.

techniques

·Underpainting
·Glazing
·Chiaroscuro
·Portraiture
·Fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details before establishing the overall value structure.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Not capturing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints: yellow ochre, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags