plate no. 9928
The Old Man
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using a limited palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in visible brushwork and creating a sense of age and character.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and walking stick.
- step 02
Establish the overall dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hat, clothing, and hands, using a limited palette of earth tones.
- step 04
Begin to build up the form of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to create depth.
- step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the character of the old man.
- step 06
Work on the hands and walking stick, adding texture and detail to create a sense of realism.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and balanced image.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and ivory black. Add small amounts of cadmium red to warm up the skin tones and hat.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·visible brushstrokes
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy or chaotic effect.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the old man.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating depth and form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#6 round brush
- ·#4 filbert brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a toned canvas to establish the dark background more easily.
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