plate no. 2231

Portrait of a Mathematician

canvas, oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremathematiciangeometryblack clothingwhite collar

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding and applying chiaroscuro to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a neutral ground.
step 02
Lightly sketch the main shapes and proportions of the figure, geometric diagram, and background.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then the clothing.
step 04
Begin to develop the skin tones, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the white collar and the geometric diagram, focusing on clean lines.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve darker tones in the clothing by mixing ivory black with raw umber. Use white to create the geometric diagram.

techniques