plate no. 5430

Portrait of a Man

Francesco de' Rossi (Francesco Salviati), "Cecchino", 1548

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitmanbeardclothingdraperyhand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and drapery with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of green, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the clothing and skin tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights.
step 06
Work on the beard and hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
step 07
Add the details of the hands and any accessories.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details.

color palette

primary · viridian green · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of green for the background by combining viridian green with small amounts of burnt umber and white. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·portraiture
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value.
→Neglecting the details of the clothing and accessories.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (viridian green, burnt umber, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red, yellow ochre)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife