plate no. 6700

Jan Hertvík Nostic.

oilBaroqueportraitportraitmanfigureclothinghistoricaldark background

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 provides practice in capturing the likeness and character of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a dark underpainting.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest values and gradually adding lighter tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows that define the form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the collar, cuffs, and any decorative elements.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism of the portrait.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and create subtle variations in tone.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and sienna with white. Use small amounts of yellow ochre and red to create warm skin tones.

techniques

·value studies
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Losing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife