plate no. 9325

Yuri Matveevich Veldten

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureclothingmapcurtain

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of muted greens and browns.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hair, and clothing, using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, such as the folds and textures of the jacket and vest.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figure and background.
step 07
Paint the details of the map and other objects on the table.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to refine the overall composition and color harmony.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Burnt Umber

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Ivory Black · Cadmium Red (small amount)

Mix various shades of blue by combining Prussian Blue with Titanium White and small amounts of Burnt Umber for darker tones. Flesh tones can be achieved by mixing Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, and a touch of Cadmium Red.

techniques

·Blending
·Layering
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the subtle value gradations in the face.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Titanium White, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black, Cadmium Red)
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife