plate no. 6352

Portrait of Mr. Luigi Bernasconi

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitmanfigureclothingbeardhand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through layering and glazing techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Develop the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing and hands.
step 06
Add subtle glazes to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Adjust the values and edges to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, ivory black, and white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red light sparingly to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques