plate no. 1723

Pieter van den Broecke

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanclothinglacechair

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 the use of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background with subtle variations in tone.
step 04
Begin to build up the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the lace collar and cuffs.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the hair, beard, and jewelry.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the highlights. Create darker tones by adding ivory black to the mixture.

techniques