plate no. 9892

Semyon Davydovich Panchulidzev, Russian General

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryuniformgoldbackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding how to render textures and details in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in creating depth and atmosphere in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of ochre, brown, and yellow.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and uniform, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes.
step 05
Develop the details of the uniform, including the collar, epaulettes, and medals.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension in the clothing and accessories.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · gold

Mix various shades of brown and yellow ochre for the background. Use white and red to create skin tones, and black mixed with blue for the uniform. Gold can be achieved with yellow ochre and burnt umber with highlights of pure yellow.

techniques