plate no. 8823

Portrait of Vasily Shuhaev in his Studio

Alexandre Jacovleff, 1928

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurechairstudioartistpipe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value to create a realistic appearance.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the chair and other background elements, using a limited palette to maintain focus on the figure.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using a combination of white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Achieve the blue-grey of the coat by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of raw umber.

techniques