plate no. 6727

Cardinal Leopoldo De' Medici

oilBaroqueportraitportraitfigureclothingcardinalhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and understanding light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in hue and value.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Develop the folds and drapery of the clothing, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add the details of the collar and hat, ensuring they are accurately rendered.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, paying attention to the balance of light and shadow.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ivory black to darken values and create shadows. Mix red ochre with burnt umber for the cardinal's robe.

techniques

·Underpainting
·Glazing
·Scumbling
·Chiaroscuro
·Portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overblending skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Incorrect proportions of the face.
→Ignoring subtle color variations in the skin.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and volume in the clothing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: red ochre, ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, raw sienna
·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife