plate no. 8674

Portrait of V. Ivanov

Konstantin Somov, 1906

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in capturing likeness, rendering form with subtle value changes, and creating texture with layered strokes. It's a good exercise in understanding light and shadow on a complex subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Focus on accurately capturing the head shape and facial features.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow using a mid-tone color.
step 04
Gradually build up darker values in the shadows, paying attention to the form of the clothing and face.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add texture to the hair and clothing using short, broken strokes.
step 08
Soften edges and blend colors to create a more realistic effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white

Mix raw umber and ivory black for the darker shadows. Use burnt sienna and yellow ochre for the skin tones, lightening with titanium white as needed. The background is a very light, warm neutral, achieved by mixing white with a touch of raw umber and yellow ochre.

techniques

·value shading
·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Using colors that are too saturated.

materials

surface · toned paper or canvas

required

·toned paper or canvas
·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·raw umber oil paint
·burnt sienna oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·assorted brushes (round and flat)

optional

·palette knife
·kneaded eraser
·blending stumps
·charcoal pencils

A toned surface will help to establish the mid-tones and make it easier to build up the values. Consider using a paper or canvas with a slightly rough texture to aid in creating the textured effects.

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