plate no. 8720

Regents of the St. Elisabeth's Hospital, Haarlem

oilBaroqueportraitfiguresportraitstableclothinghatsinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, capturing likenesses, and rendering realistic textures in clothing and skin. Students will also learn to create depth and atmosphere using subtle value changes and glazing techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on establishing the overall light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Start building up the details in the faces, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Work on the clothing, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Add details to the table and background, keeping them subdued to avoid distracting from the figures.
step 07
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix blacks and browns with small amounts of yellow ochre or red to avoid a flat, lifeless appearance. Use white sparingly to create highlights and subtle value changes.

techniques