plate no. 7768

Head of a Bearded Man, Probably One of the Magi

oilBaroquereligious paintingfiguremanturbanbeardreligiousvessel

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness of a human face and hands.

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 vessel.
step 02
Block in the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Establish the main light source and begin to define the areas of light and shadow on the face, turban, and hands.
step 04
Apply a base layer of color to the robe and turban, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Start building up the details on the face, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the intricate patterns on the robe using a fine brush and a mix of gold and brown tones.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and volume.
step 08
Add final details, such as the earring and the reflections on the vessel.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

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 yellow and burnt sienna to create the gold tones.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using too much paint and losing the subtle gradations of tone.
→Not paying enough attention to the proportions of the face and hands.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags