plate no. 0600

Portrait of Fra Bonaventura Bisi, Called 'Il Pittorino'

oilBaroqueportraitfigureportraitbooksmonkdrawingrobes

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value shifts to create form and depth. Students will also learn to render different textures, such as skin, fabric, and paper.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, paying attention to the subtle gradations of light and shadow.
step 04
Focus on the face, building up layers of color to create realistic skin tones and features.
step 05
Render the clothing and other objects, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 06
Add details, such as the books, drawings, and facial features.
step 07
Refine the values and colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and umber. Create the dark background by mixing umber and black. Use ultramarine blue and white for the paper.

techniques