plate no. 5377

Boy Looking Through the Window

oilBaroqueportraitfigureportraitwindowboyclothinghands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create depth using subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and textures.

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 the placement of the figure and the window frame.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a mix of browns and blacks.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the boy's clothing and skin, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 06
Work on the hands, capturing their form and position.
step 07
Refine the window frame, adding details and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create the dark background and shadows. Mix red with umber and black for the clothing.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits