plate no. 2730

Retrato De Un Hombre Sentado

Ferdinand Bol, 1642

canvas, oilBaroqueportraitportraitmanhatruffclothinghand

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark areas of the background, clothing, and hat.
step 03
Begin to develop the skin tones by layering thin washes of color, gradually building up the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Focus on capturing the likeness of the subject by carefully observing the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the ruff and clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the hair and beard, and adjust the overall composition as needed.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, raw sienna, and a touch of cadmium red light. Darken shadows with burnt umber and ivory black. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to highlights.

techniques