plate no. 2835

Portrait of Johann Friedrich, Elector of Saxony

oil, woodNorthern Renaissanceportraitportraitfigurehatfurjewelrymale

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and depicting textures like fur and metal. It also provides practice in layering and glazing techniques to achieve depth and realism.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hat.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of blue.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, fur, hat, and clothing.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Render the textures of the fur and hat, using small brushstrokes and varying the value and color.
step 07
Paint the jewelry and clothing, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details and refine the overall composition.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · gold

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. Mix burnt umber and ivory black for the dark areas of the fur and hat.

techniques