plate no. 5779

Portrait of Alexander Gerd

oilRealismportraitportraitmanbeardglasseschairfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic textures. It also provides practice in subtle color mixing and creating depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, beard, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth, and capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Add details to the hair and beard, using small, broken strokes to create texture and dimension.
step 06
Develop the clothing and chair, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting, adding depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details, such as the glasses and any subtle color variations.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the darks in the clothing and background.

techniques