plate no. 6465

A Man at his Desk

canvas, oilBaroqueportraitfigurebookdeskportraitinteriorwriting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and rendering textures with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness and mood of a portrait.

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 the placement of the figure, book, and desk.
step 02
Establish the dark background and general light source.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure and book with mid-tones.
step 04
Begin building up the highlights and shadows on the figure, paying attention to the facial features and folds of the clothing.
step 05
Develop the textures of the book pages and desk surface using varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, focusing on the expression and gesture.
step 07
Add subtle color variations to the skin tones and clothing.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and deepen the shadows.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

Achieve the warm, muted tones by mixing burnt umber and raw sienna with small amounts of yellow ochre and white. Use ivory black sparingly to create deep shadows.

techniques