plate no. 7309
Ritratto Di Ponno
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and subtle variations in value.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the placement of facial features.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin, even wash.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, suit, and tie, focusing on the overall value relationships.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, using subtle variations in color to create form and depth.
- step 05
Refine the details of the facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 06
Work on the suit and tie, adding details such as folds, wrinkles, and patterns.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall sense of realism.
- step 08
Add the signature in the bottom right corner.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The suit is primarily black with subtle variations of umber and blue. The tie is white with hints of blue and grey.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·value studies
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the facial features.
- →Overly harsh or flat skin tones.
- →Lack of attention to subtle value changes.
- →Ignoring the texture of the clothing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (#2, #4, #6)
- ·flat brush (#8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-toned canvas with a thin layer of burnt umber can help to establish value relationships.
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