plate no. 7787

Self-Portrait with Wife Catherine de Hemelaer and Son Jan Erasmus Quellinus

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitfiguresportraitfamilyclothinghistoricalbaby

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark, neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for each figure, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the skin tones, using subtle layers of color to create realistic highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Carefully render the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of each individual.
step 07
Add the final details, such as jewelry and accessories.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and white to create the light blues in the baby's clothing. Darken colors with ivory black and raw umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·underpainting

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and losing the freshness of the paint.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the individuals.
→Not creating enough contrast between light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags