plate no. 5063

The actor Vasily Samoilov

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingbeardred background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering realistic skin tones and fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations to model form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the ruffles and folds.
step 05
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of red by combining red ochre with small amounts of ivory black and burnt sienna. Create skin tones by mixing titanium white, red ochre, and a touch of cadmium yellow. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the dark tones of the clothing.

techniques

·portrait drawing
·value study
·color mixing
·blending
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions
→flat or lifeless skin tones
→overly harsh or blended shadows
→neglecting the background

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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