plate no. 0716

Old Bearded Man

oilBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardfigurehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in using chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the beard and hair, paying attention to the direction of the strands and the way light interacts with them.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the hair and beard.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the luminosity.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · cadmium yellow

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use raw sienna and cadmium yellow to add warmth to the beard. Darken shadows with burnt umber and a touch of black.

techniques