plate no. 6430
Portrait of a Man (Terris)
Giorgione, 1510
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will allow students to practice portraiture techniques, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle value changes. It will also help them understand the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and hair.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark green and brown.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Paint the clothing with simple, dark tones, focusing on the folds and shadows.
- step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the overall tone and create depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and hair.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by combining white, umber, and a touch of red and yellow. Use thin glazes of umber and green to create shadows and depth.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Creating overly harsh or artificial shadows.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to create a more unified background.
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