plate no. 0621

Portrait of Stephen Báthory

oil, panelMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigureclothinghatinscriptioncoat of arms

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing techniques for depicting fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the background and clothing.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Define the features of the face, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the fur collar and the folds of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the hat and feather, capturing the texture and form.
step 07
Carefully render the inscription and coat of arms in the background.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · gold · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of red by combining red ochre with ivory black and titanium white. Create skin tones by blending titanium white, red ochre, and a touch of raw umber.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·portraiture
·rendering fabric
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→getting the proportions wrong
→overworking the skin tones
→failing to capture the likeness
→making the colors too saturated

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (red ochre, ivory black, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, burnt sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette

optional