plate no. 0320
Portrait of Maffeo Barberini
Caravaggio, 1598
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to model forms using light and shadow. It will also provide practice in rendering realistic skin tones and drapery.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to proportions and the placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure with mid-tones, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin building up the highlights on the face, hands, and white collar, using thin layers of paint.
- step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
- step 06
Develop the drapery, using darker values in the shadows and lighter values in the highlights to create a sense of volume.
- step 07
Add the details of the chair and any other accessories.
- step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the overall effect and enhance the depth of the shadows.
color palette
primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, and white. Use small amounts of red and sienna to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Not paying enough attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·retouch varnish
- ·painting medium
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or 18x24) is recommended.
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