plate no. 5053

Old Man

oil, canvasTenebrismgenre paintingfigureold manstaffclothingshadowsportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to use a limited palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures and folds in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic figure proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with thin washes of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the background and floor with dark, muted tones.
step 04
Begin building up the form of the figure, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually adding highlights.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the clothing, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, focusing on capturing the character's expression.
step 07
Add the staff and shoes, paying attention to their form and texture.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and refine the edges to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the skin tones and clothing. Use ivory black sparingly to deepen the shadows.

techniques