plate no. 4050

The former Defender of the Homeland

Nikolay Bogdanov-Belsky, 1924

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfigurenewspaperslanternsnowtablenight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and atmosphere, as well as capturing the subtle glow of artificial light in a dark environment. It also encourages observation of textures and patterns in everyday objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, table, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin wash of blues and greens for the background and darker tones for the figure.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, table, and newspapers, paying attention to their relative values.
step 04
Begin layering colors to create depth and form, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 05
Focus on capturing the light from the lantern, using warmer tones to highlight the areas around it.
step 06
Add details to the figure's face and clothing, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 07
Refine the textures of the newspapers, snow, and other objects, using dry brush techniques.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and atmospheric painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber

secondary · Cadmium Yellow · Titanium White · Alizarin Crimson

Mix blues and umbers for the cool shadows, add yellow ochre and white for highlights. Use alizarin crimson to warm up the skin tones and create subtle variations in the shadows.

techniques

·Impasto
·Dry brush
·Layering
·Color mixing
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow, Titanium White, Alizarin Crimson)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags