plate no. 8040

Russian general A.I. Osterman Tolstoi

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistoricalface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value gradations, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and features.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted gray-brown tones.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, clothing, and collar, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights in the collar and coat.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and value to create depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and clothing to enhance the realism and capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create neutral grays for the background and shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·value studies
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overly harsh or abrupt value changes.
→Mixing muddy or dull colors.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags