plate no. 2562
Cesare Borgia
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in depicting fabric and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of color.
- step 03
Block in the major shapes of the figure, focusing on value and color.
- step 04
Develop the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, including the hat and sleeves.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Blend and soften edges as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red and yellow to warm the skin tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the details before establishing the overall values.
- →Using too much paint and losing the subtle gradations of tone.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·flat brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-tinting the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber can help create a warm undertone.
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