plate no. 0893

A Portrait of George Washington

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurehorselandscapemilitarysky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face. It also provides practice in painting realistic fabrics and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, starting with the sky and distant landscape.
step 03
Establish the values and colors of George Washington's face, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the uniform, carefully rendering the details of the buttons, epaulettes, and other embellishments.
step 05
Block in the horse and the figure behind it, focusing on their overall shapes and values.
step 06
Refine the details of the horse's mane and tail, and the figure's clothing and features.
step 07
Add details to the foreground, including the cannons and other objects.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details throughout the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · Prussian blue · cadmium yellow · raw sienna

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, ivory black, and titanium white. Use Prussian blue and cadmium yellow to create greens for the landscape.

techniques