plate no. 0353

A Man with a Pair of Dividers

oilEarly Renaissanceportraitportraitmandividersclothinghathand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create form. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures, particularly in the clothing and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of value, focusing on the dark background and the figure's clothing.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones with thin layers of paint, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 04
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes.
step 05
Add the details of the clothing, hat, and dividers, paying attention to the textures and folds.
step 06
Work on the hair, using light strokes to create the impression of individual strands.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix ivory black and raw umber to create the dark tones for the background and clothing. Use titanium white to lighten these tones and create highlights. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the skin tones, adjusting the proportions to create different shades.

techniques