plate no. 6814

Portrait of Gerolamo Mercuriale

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigurebookinteriorbookshelfglobe

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to create depth and form using chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key objects.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the drapery and bookshelf.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the face, hands, and clothing, using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the ruff and cuffs, and the book, paying attention to texture and light.
step 06
Develop the background details, including the books and globe, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall tonality.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · gold

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth. Darker tones are created by adding ivory black and burnt umber.

techniques