plate no. 8691

Portrait of Samuel Ampzing

oil, copperBaroqueportraitportraitfigurebookcollarbeardman

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and collar.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, beard, clothing, and book, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Add details to the beard and collar, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Develop the form of the book, adding highlights and shadows to suggest its shape.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands, paying attention to the knuckles and creases.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and beige for the skin tones by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth in the cheeks and lips. Use ivory black to darken the shadows in the clothing and beard.

techniques