plate no. 5067
Portrait of V.N.Surovtseva
Fyodor Rokotov, 1780
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing and blending techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic oval shape and the figure's pose, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, dress, and background.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Work on the dress, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
- step 05
Add the details of the lace and the rose, paying attention to their textures.
- step 06
Refine the hair, using short, broken strokes to create a soft, airy effect.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and harmony.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Use alizarin crimson and white for the rose petals, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Create the dress color by mixing raw umber, yellow ochre, and white, with hints of other colors for subtle variations.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·rendering fabric
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Getting the proportions wrong, resulting in an inaccurate likeness.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff, unnatural look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·rags
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 inches) is recommended for beginners.
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