plate no. 2017
Self-portrait of Luca Signorelli (left)
Luca Signorelli, 1503
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations to create form. It also provides practice in rendering hair and clothing with simplified brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the two figures.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral tones.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the faces, hair, and clothing.
- step 04
Begin building up the values in the faces, focusing on the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using small, directional brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 07
Adjust the background as needed to create depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions for highlights and shadows. Use ivory black sparingly to darken values.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value study
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details in the faces, resulting in a stiff appearance.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure, leading to a flat painting.
- →Using colors that are too saturated, creating an unnatural look.
- →Incorrect proportions of the facial features.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 12x16
- ·Acrylic or oil paints
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or water
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retarder
A toned canvas (light brown or gray) can be helpful for establishing the initial values.
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