plate no. 6986

Head of an old Man

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanbeardhairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in chiaroscuro and portraiture, focusing on rendering realistic skin tones and textures with a limited palette. Students will also learn to create depth and drama through careful value control.

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 proportions of the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest areas of the painting with thin washes of burnt umber and white.
step 03
Block in the mid-tones, gradually building up the form of the face, beard, and clothing.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add texture to the hair and beard using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the hand, paying attention to the wrinkles and bone structure.
step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and white. Use small amounts of cadmium red to warm the skin tones and ivory black to cool the shadows.

techniques