plate no. 0339

Portrait of a man

oil, canvasNaturalismportraitportraitmanbeardsuitfigureclothing

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good exercise in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and subtle value changes in skin tones. Recreating it will help students develop skills in blending and layering paint to create realistic forms.

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, shoulders, and clothing using a light pencil.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones by layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in color and value around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and detail.
step 06
Define the clothing, focusing on the highlights and shadows to give it form.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure without distracting from it.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, burnt sienna, raw umber, and a touch of yellow ochre and red. Use ivory black and raw umber for dark areas, adding white for highlights.

techniques