plate no. 0206

Portrait of Camilla Martelli, the Second Wife of Cosimo I De' Medici (Formerly Identified as Eleanor of Toledo, the First Wife)

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigureclothingjewelrypearlsruff

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations, as well as rendering complex textures and details in clothing and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the play of light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the intricate patterns and textures of the fabric and jewelry.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the clothing and jewelry.
step 07
Refine the background and edges to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values to create a cohesive and polished painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · gold · payne's gray

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create the dark background and shadows. Mix red and yellow ochre for the warm tones in the jewelry.

techniques