plate no. 8744

Francesco De' Medici

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigureclothingtabledraperycoin

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face and clothing. It also provides practice in glazing and layering techniques to achieve depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure and the main elements of the composition.
step 02
Establish the dark background and the general areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the local colors of the skin, clothing, and other objects.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the colors to create smooth transitions and subtle variations in tone.
step 05
Focus on accurately rendering the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, including the patterns and textures.
step 07
Refine the edges and details of the objects on the table.
step 08
Apply final glazes to enhance the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · red ochre · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red ochre, raw umber, and a touch of yellow ochre. Darken the reds with burnt umber and black. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the shadows.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overblending, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Inaccurate rendering of the facial features.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in tone and color.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (red ochre, ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife