plate no. 9223

Young Man with a Red Beret

oilBaroqueportraitportraitmanred beretclothinglace collardark hair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding chiaroscuro and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hat.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, such as the skin, hat, hair, and clothing, using slightly darker values than the final result.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and refine the form.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light and shadow patterns on the face to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Add details such as the lace collar, the texture of the hat, and the highlights in the hair.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure, softening or sharpening them as needed.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the colors and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones using white, sienna, and a touch of red. Create darker shades by adding umber or black. Use glazes of red and brown to enrich the colors of the hat and clothing.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture
·blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions and likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations and creating a flat, lifeless painting.
→Using too much detail too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife