plate no. 4849
Portrait of a Man of Prayer with St. John the Baptist
Hugo van der Goes, 1475
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and creating a sense of depth through layering and atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the composition, paying attention to the proportions and placement of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the larger shapes of the figures.
- step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, using thin layers of paint and subtle blending to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 04
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and careful observation.
- step 05
Work on the clothing, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Refine the hands, capturing their gesture and form.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Dark areas are created by adding black or umber to the base colors.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·portraiture
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless effect.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will make blending easier.
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