plate no. 5226

Head of an Old Man

oil, wood, panelBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardhatfigurehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also offers practice in depicting textures like hair and fabric.

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 of the overall composition, focusing on the proportions and placement of the head, hat, and beard.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone, gradually building up the shadows.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, hat, and beard with basic color mixtures.
step 04
Start building up the values in the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Develop the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Work on the beard, using a combination of dry brush and layering techniques to create texture and volume.
step 07
Refine the details of the hat, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.