plate no. 7230

Portrait of Petrus Egidius de Morrion

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigurebeardframeold man

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the portrait, focusing on proportions and placement within the oval frame.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber, paying attention to the light source.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, such as the skin tones, beard, and background, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of color, focusing on highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes and finer strokes.
step 06
Render the beard with loose, expressive brushstrokes, capturing the texture and volume.
step 07
Paint the frame, paying attention to the details and highlights.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to refine the portrait and create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the skin tones and losing the sense of freshness.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw sienna, ivory black, cadmium red light)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits
·palette knife