plate no. 9954
Portrait of Maria Salviati with Giulia de Medici
Jacopo Pontormo, 1537
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery. It will also improve their understanding of chiaroscuro and how to create depth using subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral tone.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones for both figures, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones to create smooth transitions.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Shadows are created by adding raw umber and ivory black. The veil is a mix of white and a touch of blue and umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·drapery
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures.
- →Using too much color, making the painting look unnatural.
- →Ignoring subtle value changes, resulting in a lack of depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will aid in blending.
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