plate no. 0151
Portrait of a Man
Quentin Matsys, 1520
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscape painting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values, focusing on the dark areas of the clothing and the lighter areas of the face and landscape.
- step 03
Develop the skin tones using layers of thin glazes, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
- step 05
Paint the clothing and other objects, such as the quill and inkwell, using a combination of opaque and transparent layers.
- step 06
Develop the landscape background, using atmospheric perspective to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and details to achieve a finished look.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create muted greens for the landscape.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or unnatural look.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (small round, medium flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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