
plate no. 6058
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering realistic skin tones and textures, as well as understanding dramatic chiaroscuro lighting. Students will also learn how to depict folds in fabric and the anatomy of hands.
technical profile
approach — 8 steps
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and drapery.
Establish the darkest areas of the background and the shadows on the figure with a thin wash of dark brown or umber.
Block in the mid-tones on the face, hands, and clothing, paying attention to the direction of light.
Begin layering lighter tones onto the face and hands, building up the form and creating highlights.
Add details to the face, such as wrinkles, beard texture, and the expression in the eyes.
Refine the drapery, adding folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
Adjust the values throughout the painting to enhance the contrast and create a sense of depth.
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, umber, and small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue mixed with umber to create the blue fabric. Vary the brown tones by mixing umber with white, yellow ochre, or burnt sienna.
techniques
common pitfalls
surface · stretched canvas
required
optional
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the value structure early on.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein

Girl with a Straw Hat
Judith Leyster

Gezicht Op De Laurenskerk Gezien Vanuit Noordoosten
Abraham Storck

Bathsheba Bathing
Francesco Solimena

Repentant Peter
Guido Reni

Itinerant Musicians
Jacob Ochtervelt

Marie Christine
Marcello Bacciarelli

Santa Cecilia E Due Angeli
Giulio Cesare Procaccini

Scene from the Life of Saint Benedict
Philippe de Champaigne