plate no. 1450
The old beggar
Fyodor Bronnikov, 1869
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression and posture, as well as rendering realistic textures of clothing and architectural elements.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and architectural elements.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and block in the large areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Develop the background, gradually adding details and texture to the wall and steps.
- step 04
Begin working on the figure, starting with the face and hands, paying close attention to the values and subtle color variations.
- step 05
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds, tears, and textures of the fabric.
- step 06
Add details to the hat and other accessories.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, ivory black, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones and architectural elements. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue to darken shadows and create cooler tones.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#8 filbert brush
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with a layer of gesso before beginning to paint.
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