plate no. 4461

Study of an Old Man

oilBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardfigureheadcollar

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model form with light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering textures like skin and hair using layered brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, beard, and collar using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of black paint.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and beard with mid-tones.
step 04
Begin layering lighter tones to build up the highlights on the forehead, nose, and beard.
step 05
Add darker tones to deepen the shadows around the eyes, mouth, and neck.
step 06
Refine the details of the facial features, paying attention to the subtle transitions between light and shadow.
step 07
Use small, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the beard and hair.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt sienna for warmth in the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue sparingly to cool down shadows.

techniques