plate no. 1525

A Youth with a Jug

oil, woodBaroqueportraitfigureportraitjughatruffclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding chiaroscuro and creating depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and jug.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, hat, and jug with mid-tone colors.
step 04
Begin layering in highlights and shadows to define the form of the face, clothing, and jug.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the textures of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add the final highlights and details to the jug and clothing.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use umber and black for shadows. Mix red with umber for the hat, adding white for highlights.

techniques