plate no. 1498

Portrait of a gentleman of Florence

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigureclothingdraperyhandhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing a likeness, as well as understanding how to render fabric folds and subtle gradations of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying 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 color for the skin, clothing, and hat, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Develop the folds and drapery of the clothing, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and depth.
step 06
Add details to the hands and any other accessories, such as the object in the left hand.
step 07
Refine the edges and transitions between different areas of the painting, softening or sharpening them as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to completion.

color palette

primary · red · white · brown · black

secondary · pink · grey

Mix various shades of pink by combining red and white, and use brown and black to create darker tones for shadows. Achieve skin tones by blending white, red, yellow, and brown.

techniques

·underpainting
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·blending
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or abrupt transitions between light and shadow.
→Failure to capture the subtle nuances of skin tone.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall value structure.