plate no. 8229

Portrait of Benedetto Portinari

oil, panelNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigurelandscapecolumnsbookclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as practicing atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the background landscape with thin washes of color, establishing the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Establish the main values of the figure's clothing and hair, using broad strokes.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes.
step 05
Add details to the book and other objects, paying attention to texture and form.
step 06
Refine the fur collar, using small brushstrokes to create the illusion of texture.
step 07
Adjust values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber; create atmospheric perspective in the landscape by adding blue and white to the greens and browns.

techniques