plate no. 4586

Memorial Portrait of Moses ter Borch

oil, panelBaroqueportraitportraitfigurelandscapearmorskulldog

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding chiaroscuro and creating depth through tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, the landscape elements, and the still life objects.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark and light areas with thin washes of paint.
step 03
Focus on the figure's face, paying close attention to the proportions and subtle tonal variations to capture the likeness.
step 04
Develop the clothing, using layers of paint to create the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the background landscape, using a limited palette and soft brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add details to the still life objects, such as the armor, skull, and dog, using small brushes and precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting the values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final glazes to enhance the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · Prussian blue · cadmium red light · raw sienna

Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the dark, earthy tones by mixing burnt umber and black, and lighten with white.

techniques

·Underpainting
·Glazing
·Chiaroscuro
·Portraiture
·Blending

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Not capturing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, Prussian blue, cadmium red light, raw sienna)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags