plate no. 9589

Portrait of an old man, bust-length, in a fur lined coat with a small pendant, and a velvet barrett

oil, panelBaroqueportraitportraitmanbeardhatclothingfur

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and textures, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and form. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness and character of a subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a toned ground (e.g., burnt umber wash).
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, hat, and shoulders.
step 03
Establish the darkest values in the background and clothing using dark browns and blacks.
step 04
Begin blocking in the mid-tones of the face, focusing on the planes and structure.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, beard, and hat, using lighter tones of white mixed with browns and yellows.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Work on the texture of the beard, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of volume and depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced and harmonious.

color palette

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

secondary · raw sienna · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use varying proportions to create highlights, shadows, and mid-tones. Darken colors with burnt umber and black.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·dry brushing
·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Losing the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw sienna, cadmium red light)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife