plate no. 1754

An Old Man

wood, oil, panelBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardhatfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using chiaroscuro to create depth and drama. It also provides practice in blending and layering techniques to achieve subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, beard, and hat using charcoal or a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to build up the form of the face and beard with thicker paint, paying attention to the subtle gradations of tone.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and careful observation.
step 06
Add highlights to the beard and hair to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 07
Paint the hat and clothing, using darker tones to create contrast with the face.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and convincing portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · cadmium yellow · venetian red

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use umber and black for shadows, and white and yellow for highlights. Mix browns with a touch of blue or green to neutralize them.

techniques