plate no. 8891
Portrait of a Man
Jacques Daret, 1440
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and subtle color mixing for skin tones and fabric folds. It also encourages careful observation of light and shadow to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the portrait, focusing on accurate proportions and placement of features.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hat, clothing, and background.
- step 03
Start layering the skin tones, building up highlights and shadows gradually.
- step 04
Work on the red hat, paying attention to the folds and how light interacts with the fabric.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing, capturing the texture and patterns.
- step 07
Adjust the background to create the desired contrast and depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · sap green
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and red ochre, with small amounts of burnt umber for shadows. The red hat is a mix of red ochre and a touch of black for darker areas.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Ignoring the effect of light and shadow on the form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
- ·flat brush (size 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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