plate no. 8968
Portrait of a bearded man
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and yellow ochre.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, hair, beard, and clothing using a limited palette.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the hair and beard, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a focal point.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the painting and add depth.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use ivory black sparingly to darken the shadows.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early
- →Using too much black, resulting in a muddy appearance
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject
- →Not paying attention to the subtle value changes
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Girl with a Straw Hat
Judith Leyster
Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten
Abraham Storck
Bathsheba Bathing
Francesco Solimena
Repentant Peter
Guido Reni
Itinerant Musicians
Jacob Ochtervelt
Marie Christine
Marcello Bacciarelli
Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli
Giulio Cesare Procaccini
Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict
Philippe de Champaigne