plate no. 6121

San Cosme O Autorretrato

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigureportraitmanreligious figureartistpainting tools

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the dark background with a thin wash of dark brown and black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones, layering highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the clothing and painting tools, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw sienna, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows and dark areas. Add yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·scumbling
·soft blending
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat and unconvincing image.
→Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall form.
→Not paying close enough attention to the proportions of the face.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints: burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags