plate no. 9802

Portrait of Philip Rubens

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremaleruffbeardclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and capturing likeness, as well as understanding chiaroscuro and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on establishing the background, gradually building up layers of color and texture.
step 04
Start developing the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Refine the details of the ruff, using small brushstrokes to create the folds and textures.
step 06
Work on the clothing, building up layers of dark colors and adding highlights to create depth.
step 07
Add final details, such as the hair and beard, using a fine brush.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw umber, ivory black, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium red to warm up the skin tones.

techniques