plate no. 6157

Cardinal Bandinello Sauli, His Secretary, and Two Geographers

oilHigh Renaissanceportraitfiguresportraitsbookstablecardinalinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in depicting textures like fabric and paper.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors, focusing on the large areas of red, white, and dark tones.
step 03
Start refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the faces.
step 04
Develop the drapery folds in the cardinal's robes and the white sleeves, using a combination of highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the book, table, and other objects, focusing on their textures and patterns.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the figures and objects.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · raw umber · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of red by combining cadmium red with small amounts of burnt sienna or ivory black. Achieve the off-white tones by mixing titanium white with a touch of yellow ochre or raw umber.

techniques