plate no. 4774
Domenico di Jacopo di Matteo, called 'Becuccio Bicchieraio'
Andrea del Sarto, 1530
some experience helpful
This painting provides practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery folds. Students will also learn to create depth and form using chiaroscuro.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure, fruit, and bowl.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted green and brown.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the clothing and hat.
- step 04
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of color, focusing on highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the fruit, paying attention to the subtle color variations and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the bowl and the table surface.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face and clothing, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · viridian
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of raw umber. Create darks by mixing ivory black and raw umber. Use viridian and yellow ochre to create the green hues for the table.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the fruit and clothing.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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