plate no. 4526
Petrus Scriverius
Frans Hals, 1626
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. Students will also learn to create depth and form through careful value control and brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the oval frame and the basic proportions of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, and background.
- step 03
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a sense of form.
- step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the collar, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Develop the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
- step 07
Refine the background and the oval frame, ensuring they complement the figure.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna or cadmium red light. Use raw umber and ivory black for dark areas, and titanium white for highlights. Vary the color temperature by adding small amounts of red or yellow.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or unnatural look.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting.
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