plate no. 5021
Portrait of Benedikt von Hertenstein
Hans Holbein the Younger, 1517
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and details like jewelry.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, clothing, hat, and background.
- step 03
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in light and shadow.
- step 04
Work on the clothing, adding details like folds and stripes.
- step 05
Paint the hat, paying attention to the texture and form.
- step 06
Add the background details, including the inscription and relief sculpture.
- step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · raw umber · viridian · gold
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use black and white to create the dark clothing, and mix red with white for the lighter shades of the hat and sleeve.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·rendering
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Lack of attention to detail in the clothing and background.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#4 flat brush
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve blending and drying time.
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