plate no. 0713

The broom maker

oilBaroqueportraitfigureportraithatbroompitcherclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, pitcher, and other elements.
step 02
Establish the overall warm, earthy background tone with a thin wash.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the figure's clothing, hat, and skin, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the buttons, folds, and textures.
step 06
Render the pitcher and broom, focusing on their form and the way light reflects off their surfaces.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, making sure everything is cohesive and balanced.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of yellow ochre for warmth. Darker areas can be achieved by adding ivory black.

techniques