plate no. 2700

Portrait of Ginevra Aldrovandi Hercolani

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitwomandogruffjewelrychair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice with depicting complex textures like lace and fabric.

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 dog.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, dark tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure's clothing and hair, using mid-tones.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the face, including eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Paint the dog, paying attention to its fur and features.
step 08
Add final details, such as the jewelry, lace, and chair.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · gold · red ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ivory black and raw umber for dark areas, and add white to create highlights.

techniques