plate no. 5131

Gefühl

oilBaroqueportraitfigureportraitcoinsclothingdark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to use light and shadow to create form. It will also develop skills in portraiture and rendering textures of fabric and metal.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main shapes.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure's face, clothing, and hands.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle gradations of light.
step 05
Develop the textures of the clothing and the coins, using varied brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the coins to create a sense of realism.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to deepen shadows and unify the painting.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · burnt sienna · titanium white

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw umber, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use ivory black to darken the shadows and titanium white for highlights.

techniques