plate no. 0164
Portrait of Sibylla (or Sybilla) von Freyberg (born Gossenbrot)
Bernhard Strigel, 1515
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as practice with depicting intricate details like jewelry and fabric patterns.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, dress, background, and landscape.
- step 03
Refine the skin tones using subtle layers of color to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 04
Add details to the dress, including the folds, patterns, and textures.
- step 05
Paint the jewelry, paying attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and sparkle.
- step 06
Develop the background, adding details to the fabric and landscape.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face, dress, and jewelry.
- step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.
color palette
primary · red ochre · yellow ochre · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium yellow light
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red ochre, and a touch of yellow ochre. Use raw umber and ivory black for shadows and details. Mix ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow for the sky.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·portraiture
- ·rendering of fabrics
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle details of the jewelry and fabric.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating depth.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (small round, small flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·soft cloth
optional
- ·damar varnish
- ·retouch varnish
- ·drying retarder
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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