plate no. 3827

The painter Jan Asselyn

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitmanhatclothingcollarfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also offers practice in creating subtle value shifts to model form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hat, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green, allowing some variation in tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the hat and clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Add highlights to the collar and cuffs to create contrast and visual interest.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, ensuring a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark greens for the background and clothing.

techniques

·portrait painting
·chiaroscuro
·dry brushing
·glazing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the painting process.
→Failing to establish a strong foundation of values.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in tone and color that create form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife