plate no. 5118

Profile Head of an Old Woman

oilBaroqueportraitportraitwomanheadscarfprofileclothingold age

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and depicting the subtle folds and transparency of fabric. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through careful value control.

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 head and headscarf.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones and the colors in the headscarf.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Work on the folds and shadows of the headscarf, building up the layers of paint to create depth.
step 06
Add the details of the jewelry and any other small elements.
step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the subject.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and white with a hint of blue for highlights on the fabric. Mix the colors for the headscarf patterns using the primary and secondary colors.

techniques