plate no. 1885

Pietro d'Abano

oilNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigurebookrobehatinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and rendering realistic textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, book, and background.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the background, robe, hat, and book.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and book, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Work on the textures of the robe and hat, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the inscription at the bottom of the painting.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · red ochre · raw umber · titanium white · viridian

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by blending red ochre, raw umber, and titanium white. Achieve the robe's color by mixing red ochre with a touch of ivory black and white. The green of the book is a blend of viridian, yellow ochre, and white.

techniques