plate no. 3278

The Portrait of Gerrit Schaep

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfiguremanclothinglace collarhair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone blending, and rendering complex textures like fabric and lace. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through careful value control.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin, even layer of dark brown.
step 03
Establish the main values of the face, hair, and clothing using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin layering and blending skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 06
Work on the clothing, building up layers of color and texture to create the fabric's appearance.
step 07
Carefully render the lace collar, using fine brushstrokes to capture the intricate details.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the portrait to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of red or yellow. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white. Use thin glazes to build up depth and luminosity.

techniques

·portrait drawing
·value studies
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Losing the sense of form by not paying attention to light and shadow.
→Getting lost in the details of the clothing before establishing the overall values.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Rags or paper towels