plate no. 8241

Bearded Old Man in a Beret at a Balustrade, Holding His Gloves

wood, oil, panelBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardhatbalustradegloves

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and textures, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and drama. Students will also learn about glazing techniques to achieve subtle color variations.

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 proportions and placement of the figure.
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 with mid-tones, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin building up the highlights on the face, beard, and hands using lighter tones.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and hat, adding subtle color variations and textures.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the gloves and the balustrade.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and sienna. Use white to create highlights and yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones. Mix red with umber to create the dark reds of the clothing.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·dry brushing
·portraiture
·value study

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to establish a strong value structure
→Using too much white in the highlights
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, yellow ochre, titanium white)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags