plate no. 4677
Portrait of a goldsmith
Jacopo Pontormo, 1518
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and creating subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also offers practice in depicting textures, such as fabric and fur.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying close attention to proportions and angles.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using thin layers of paint and subtle blending.
- step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, hat, and fur collar, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Carefully render the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add the background, blending it smoothly to create depth.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Achieve darks by mixing black, umber, and a touch of blue. Use thin glazes to build up color and create subtle variations.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·value studies
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between light and shadow.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the clothing and background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·soft cloth or paper towels
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer of paint to dry before applying the next.
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