plate no. 3129

Portrait of V Voyeykova

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfigurewomanclothingheadwearhands

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on subtle value changes to create form and capturing realistic skin tones. Students can also learn about rendering fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darks and lights with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, layering subtle variations of color to create depth and form.
step 04
Work on the clothing and headwear, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Refine the hands, paying attention to the bone structure and wrinkles.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows. Add raw sienna to warm up the skin tones.

techniques