plate no. 6172

Portrait of a Dominican

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanclothingcollarface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in creating subtle value gradations and depicting fabric folds.

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, collar, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, collar, and clothing.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the subtle gradations of tone in the skin, using thin layers of paint.
step 06
Add details to the collar, suggesting the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, creating a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use black and umber for shadows, and white with a touch of umber for the collar.

techniques