plate no. 9854

Tronie of An Old Man

oilBaroqueportraitportraitold manbeardfigureheadhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in using chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and beard.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 06
Develop the texture of the beard and hair using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the background and edges to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall contrast and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · cadmium yellow

Mix various shades of skin tone by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use black and umber to create the dark background and shadows.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·blending
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Over-blending the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Making the background too distracting or detailed.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, raw sienna, ivory black)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·palette knife