plate no. 5509

Nicolaes de la Bye

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghandpaper

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding chiaroscuro and creating depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the pose and composition.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and the main areas of light and shadow on the figure.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of warm and cool colors.
step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Render the hands and the paper, focusing on accurate anatomy and subtle details.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the face, hair, and clothing to create a sense of realism and depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna to warm up the skin tones. Use cadmium red light sparingly for subtle highlights on the lips and cheeks.

techniques