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home·artworks·Portrait of a man in a Black Cap and a fur-trimmed coat
Portrait of a man in a Black Cap and a fur-trimmed coat by Joos van Cleve

plate no. 1651

Portrait of a man in a Black Cap and a fur-trimmed coat

Joos van Cleve

oilNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitmanfurclothinghathands
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and capturing subtle skin tones, as well as blending techniques to create smooth transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and coat.

  2. step 02

    Block in the background with a thin layer of green, focusing on achieving a smooth, blended gradient.

  3. step 03

    Establish the main value ranges on the face, starting with the shadows and mid-tones.

  4. step 04

    Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle color variations.

  5. step 05

    Paint the hat and coat, focusing on the dark values and textures.

  6. step 06

    Add the fur collar, using small brushstrokes to create the texture and depth.

  7. step 07

    Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.

  8. step 08

    Add the final highlights and details to the hands and clothing.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · sap green · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by combining yellow ochre, raw umber, and titanium white. Use ivory black and raw umber for the dark clothing. The fur is a mix of burnt sienna and raw umber.

techniques

  • ·blending
  • ·layering
  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·portraiture

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the skin tones, leading to a muddy or flat appearance.
  • →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
  • →Failing to capture the subtle variations in value and color.
  • →Using too much paint, which can make blending difficult.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·burnt sienna oil paint
  • ·sap green oil paint
  • ·assorted round and flat brushes

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve blending and glazing.

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