plate no. 0804

Portrait of Philipp II of Spain

oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfiguremanclothinghatlacerosary

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as understanding subtle value shifts in skin tones and fabric folds. Students will also learn to render intricate details like lace and jewelry.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying close attention to the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a mid-tone gray or brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, hat, and lace.
step 04
Begin to refine the skin tones, using subtle value changes to create form and dimension.
step 05
Work on the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add details to the hat, lace collar, and cuffs, using fine brushes to capture the intricate patterns.
step 07
Paint the rosary and pendant, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. Black is modified with raw umber and a hint of blue to create depth. Lace is rendered with thin washes of white over the background color.

techniques