plate no. 2733

Pyotr Ivanovich Ivelich, Russian General

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryclothinghairmedal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in painting textures, such as hair and fabric.

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, paying attention to the pose and head angle.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted colors, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and clothing, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, adding details and subtle variations in skin tone to create a sense of realism.
step 05
Develop the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the clothing and accessories, paying attention to the folds and drapery of the fabric.
step 07
Add the details of the military uniform, including the gold epaulettes and medals.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors, ensuring that the painting has a sense of depth and harmony.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · gold

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining yellow ochre, cadmium red, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ivory black and burnt umber for the dark areas of the hair and clothing. Achieve the gold color by mixing yellow ochre with a touch of burnt umber and a hint of cadmium red.

techniques