plate no. 6003

Govaert van Surpele and his wife

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguresarchitecturedraperydogparrot

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and architectural elements, paying attention to proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, focusing on the overall tone and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, using a limited palette of dark and mid-tones.
step 04
Gradually build up the highlights and shadows on the faces and hands, using subtle blending techniques.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and accessories, such as the lace collars, sword, and jewelry.
step 06
Paint the dog, paying attention to the texture and direction of the fur.
step 07
Refine the architectural details and drapery, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber; create darks by mixing black and umber; use ultramarine to cool down shadows.

techniques

·Chiaroscuro
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Portraiture
·Rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Not blending the skin tones smoothly enough.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (24x30 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife