plate no. 9525

Antonio Maria Ciocchi del Monte

oilHigh Renaissanceportraitportraitfigurearchitecturelandscapemonkeyclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value shifts to create form and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: the figure, the window, and the architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background, clothing, and skin tones.
step 03
Develop the background landscape, paying attention to atmospheric perspective.
step 04
Focus on the face, carefully building up the form with layers of subtle color and value changes.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, including the folds and shadows.
step 06
Add the details of the hands and the object held in them.
step 07
Paint the monkey, paying attention to its fur texture and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Create the dark clothing by mixing black and umber. Use ultramarine and white for the sky.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·atmospheric perspective
·blending

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Overly harsh or flat skin tones
→Ignoring subtle value changes
→Neglecting the details in the clothing and background

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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