plate no. 0017

Italian scientist Ulisse Aldrovandi

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurebeardfurold manbackground painting

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and creating depth through value changes. It also offers practice in depicting textures like fur and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and beard.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone, including the suggestion of the painting within the painting.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color on the face, beard, and clothing, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create form and volume.
step 05
Add details to the beard, using small brushstrokes to suggest individual hairs and texture.
step 06
Work on the fur collar, paying attention to the way light interacts with the different planes and textures.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use varying amounts of white to create highlights and shadows. Mix black and umber for the dark background and clothing.

techniques