plate no. 9656

Portrait of Cardinal Pompeo Colonna

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfiguredogtableclothingdocuments

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting textures, such as fabric and fur, and understanding the use of light and shadow to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the cardinal, dog, and table.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Begin painting the cardinal's face, focusing on accurate skin tones and subtle shading to define the features.
step 04
Paint the cardinal's red robes, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Render the dog's fur with short, directional brushstrokes, varying the color and value to create texture.
step 06
Paint the table and documents, adding details such as patterns and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, clothing, and dog, adding highlights and shadows to enhance realism.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of red by combining cadmium red with small amounts of ivory black or burnt sienna. Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Use raw umber and ivory black to create dark shadows and muted tones.

techniques