plate no. 9800

Portrait of the goldsmith Jacopo Bilivert (1550-1603)

oil, canvasMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitmanruffclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

This painting provides a good opportunity to practice portraiture techniques, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations. Students can also learn to render fabric textures and the complex folds of the ruff.

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 head, shoulders, and ruff.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin, dark wash.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with mid-tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the ruff, focusing on the folds and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Block in the clothing, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final details and refine the edges.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, sienna, umber, and a touch of red. Use black and umber for the dark clothing, and white with a touch of umber for the ruff.

techniques

·portrait sketching
·layering
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face
→Over-blending the skin tones
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in color
→Overtly bright highlights
→Losing the form of the ruff in the shadows

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife