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home·artworks·A Young Man
A Young Man by Rosso Fiorentino

plate no. 6981

A Young Man

Rosso Fiorentino, 1518

oil, poplar, woodMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigurelandscapeclothinghathair
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations, as well as practice creating atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions, paying attention to the placement of the head, hands, and shoulders.

  2. step 02

    Block in the background landscape with thin washes of color, establishing the basic shapes of the hills, trees, and sky.

  3. step 03

    Begin layering in the darker values of the figure's clothing, gradually building up the form and creating depth.

  4. step 04

    Focus on the face, carefully mixing and applying subtle skin tones to capture the likeness of the subject.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the hair, using thin brushstrokes to create texture and movement.

  6. step 06

    Refine the background landscape, adding details to the trees, buildings, and figures.

  7. step 07

    Add the highlights and shadows to the clothing and hands, paying attention to the folds and wrinkles.

  8. step 08

    Make final adjustments to the colors and values, ensuring that the painting has a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Mix various shades of brown and black for the clothing. Use white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red to create skin tones. Mix blue and white for the sky and background.

techniques

  • ·glazing
  • ·scumbling
  • ·portraiture
  • ·atmospheric perspective
  • ·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

  • →Incorrect proportions of the figure
  • →Overly harsh or muddy colors
  • →Lack of depth in the background
  • →Inaccurate skin tones

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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

optional

  • ·Retouch varnish
  • ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.

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