plate no. 2919

Family Portrait, Minerva, Amilcare and Asdrubale Anguissola

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitfiguresportraitlandscapedogclothingarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and clothing folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the forms by layering colors and adding details to the faces and clothing.
step 04
Pay attention to the light source and how it affects the shadows and highlights on the figures.
step 05
Develop the background landscape, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Refine the details of the figures, including the facial features, hair, and clothing.
step 07
Add the final touches, such as highlights and shadows, to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and burnt sienna with titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and cadmium red to create the purplish hues in the clothing. Yellow ochre can be used to warm up the skin tones.

techniques