plate no. 1117

Pope Paul III with a Nephew

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfiguremalerobereligious figurehistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and drapery. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, neutral tone.
step 03
Block in the basic colors of the robe, skin, and other elements.
step 04
Develop the values and forms of the face, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the details of the robe, including folds and textures.
step 06
Add details to the hands and other accessories.
step 07
Work on the secondary figure, ensuring it remains less detailed than the primary figure.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · red · white · brown · black

secondary · blue · grey · gold

Achieve the rich reds by mixing a crimson or cadmium red with burnt umber and a touch of black. Skin tones can be created by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a small amount of red and brown.

techniques