plate no. 6420

Portrait of the Physician Carlo Fontana

canvas, oilMannerism (Late Renaissance)portraitportraitfigureskullbookhandchair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding of chiaroscuro to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure, skull, and book.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure's clothing, using dark greens and blacks.
step 04
Begin to build up the skin tones, using layers of thin paint and subtle color variations.
step 05
Paint the skull, focusing on accurate rendering of the bone structure and shadows.
step 06
Add details to the book and chair, paying attention to texture and form.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create shadows with burnt umber and black. Use viridian to adjust the green in the background.

techniques