plate no. 1987

Portrait alleged to be of Anne Whateley (in fact likely to be Girolamo Casio)

oilHigh Renaissanceportraitportraitfigurewomandark backgroundjewelryclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering fabrics and jewelry with realistic detail.

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, paying close attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Gradually build up the values in the face, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
step 05
Paint the hair, focusing on the overall shape and flow before adding individual strands.
step 06
Block in the clothing and jewelry, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, hair, clothing, and jewelry, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and realism.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark background and shadows.

techniques