plate no. 2441

Russian writer Pavel Melnikov

oilRealismportraitportraitmanbeardbookspapersdesk

experienced study

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main shapes and colors of the face, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Develop the skin tones, layering and blending colors to create subtle variations in value and hue.
step 05
Add details to the beard and hair, using smaller brushes and varied brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the background, focusing on creating depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Render the books, papers, and other objects on the desk, paying attention to their textures and forms.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · van dyke brown

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use blue and brown to create shadows. Vary the proportions to create warmer or cooler tones.

techniques