plate no. 6066

Portrait of a Man

oilRococoportraitportraitmanclothingfurlacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering realistic skin tones and fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations and soft blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on establishing the correct skin tones and values on the face, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 05
Render the clothing and fur, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the details of the lace collar, using delicate brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Darken colors with ivory black and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool down browns and create grays.

techniques