plate no. 3593

Portrait of an Old Man

Simeon Velkov, 1930

oilRealismportraitportraitmanfacemustacheheadclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating form through subtle value changes and visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and facial features.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Begin layering in skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the skin, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Define the features with darker values, using thin lines and small brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the hair and clothing, using similar techniques of layering and blending.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add a simple background with soft, blended brushstrokes.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · sap green

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use blue and green sparingly to create cool shadows and subtle color variations.

techniques