plate no. 5440

Portrait of an Old Man

oilBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardheadfigurehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model form using light and shadow. It will also develop skills in rendering textures, particularly hair and beard.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown.
step 02
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, beard, and shoulders using a light color.
step 03
Establish the darkest areas of the background and shadows on the face.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones on the face and beard, focusing on the direction of light.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights to the hair and beard to create texture.
step 07
Blend the edges of the forms to create a soft, painterly effect.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Use titanium white to create highlights and lighten the tones. Yellow ochre can be used to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques