plate no. 0500

Portrait of Jean de la Chambre at the age of 33

oil, panelBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanruffhandpen

some experience helpful

This painting is a great exercise in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and using a limited palette to create depth and form. Students will learn to blend skin tones and create realistic fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a mix of white, ochre, and a touch of red.
step 04
Paint the dark areas of the clothing with black and burnt umber, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Carefully render the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushstrokes and subtle color variations.
step 06
Paint the white ruff, using a combination of white and grey to create highlights and shadows.
step 07
Add the details of the hand and pen, paying attention to the anatomy and perspective.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and add any final touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · raw sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, ochre, a touch of red, and umber. Use umber and black for dark clothing. Achieve the ruff's highlights with pure white and shadows with grey (white + black).

techniques