plate no. 1655

Portrait of Yelena Likhachova

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguretablenewspapercandleinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering subtle tonal variations in skin and clothing. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures and details in a dimly lit environment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes and tonal values.
step 03
Gradually refine the shapes and details of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, table, and other objects, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Carefully render the newspaper, capturing the subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, ensuring that the painting is cohesive and balanced.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light

Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Dark areas are created by mixing ivory black and raw umber. Subtle variations are achieved by adding small amounts of ultramarine blue or cadmium yellow light.

techniques