plate no. 0748

The Chief

Aleksander Belyaev, 2019

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremannative americanhairjewelry

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and expression through subtle value changes and brushstrokes. Recreating it will help develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and creating depth with soft edges.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, blended strokes of blues, greens, and yellows.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face with a mid-tone skin color.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and contours of the face.
step 05
Introduce highlights to the face, focusing on the nose, forehead, and cheekbones.
step 06
Paint the hair with dark browns and blacks, using varied brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 07
Add details like the eyes, lips, and jewelry, paying attention to their shape and color.
step 08
Refine the edges and blend the colors to create a soft, impressionistic effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white; use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for dark shadows; add cadmium red for warmth.

techniques