plate no. 5706
Portrait of Maximilian I (1459-1519)
Bernhard Strigel, 1508
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in depicting textures and details in clothing and accessories.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, crown, and staff.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a base layer of red.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, clothing, and crown.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the crown, robe, and staff, using small brushes.
- step 06
Develop the textures of the clothing and accessories, using layering and glazing techniques.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · red · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · gold · brown · flesh tones
Mix various shades of red for the background, and create flesh tones by blending white, red, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use raw umber and ivory black for dark areas and shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·rendering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- →Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 6, 8)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·mineral spirits or turpentine (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality paints and brushes for best results. Consider using a toned canvas to help establish the values.
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