plate no. 8635

Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky

gouache, pencil, watercolor, paperRomanticismportraitportraitfigurereligious figurehatcrossbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and layering watercolor washes to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in rendering fine details and decorative elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and cross using a pencil.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted watercolor for the background circle, varying the blue tones.
step 03
Begin layering washes of skin tones, starting with light washes and gradually building up darker values.
step 04
Paint the hat with red and brown washes, adding details like the gold ornaments.
step 05
Render the beard and hair with short, controlled brushstrokes, using a mix of browns and grays.
step 06
Paint the cross with a light brown wash, adding subtle shadows.
step 07
Add details to the clothing, including the gold embellishments.
step 08
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white. Add a touch of yellow ochre for warmth. Vary the blue in the background by adding small amounts of white or black.

techniques