plate no. 2679

Aristotle

oilBaroqueportraitfigureportraitbookbeardold manrobe

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing the likeness and age of a subject, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and drama. It also offers practice in rendering textures like skin, fabric, and paper.

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, book, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the dark background, the robe, the skin tones, and the book.
step 03
Start building up the values, working from dark to light, to create depth and form.
step 04
Pay close attention to the light source and how it affects the highlights and shadows on the figure's face and hands.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, mouth, and beard, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 06
Render the texture of the robe and the book, using different brushstrokes and techniques to create visual interest.
step 07
Add the details of the writing and diagrams in the book, using a fine brush or liner.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding highlights and shadows as needed to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · naples yellow

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use umber and black for the dark background, adding white to create subtle variations in tone. Achieve the off-white color of the book with white, a touch of yellow ochre, and a hint of umber.

techniques