plate no. 4349

Head of an old man

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanhatumbrellaclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in cross-hatching, rendering textures, and understanding light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness and character of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and umbrella.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting using a dark brown or black.
step 03
Start building up the mid-tones with lighter shades of brown, using cross-hatching to create depth and texture.
step 04
Focus on the face, paying close attention to the lines and wrinkles that define the character of the old man.
step 05
Use fine lines to create the details of the clothing, hat, and umbrella, varying the density of the lines to create different values.
step 06
Refine the highlights by using lighter shades of brown or white to accentuate the form.
step 07
Continuously compare your work to the original, making adjustments as needed to match the values and textures.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black · raw umber

secondary · titanium white · burnt umber

Achieve the various shades by mixing black and white, and adjusting with small amounts of umber for warmth.

techniques

·cross-hatching
·scumbling
·rendering textures
·value studies
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Failing to establish a strong value range, resulting in a flat or muddy painting.
→Overworking the details, which can make the painting look stiff and unnatural.
→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch, which can lead to a distorted likeness.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the light, which can make the form look unclear.