plate no. 0740

a Soldier’s Thanksgiving, by J. C. Leyendecker. Saturday Evening Post Cover, December 8, 1917

J. C. Leyendecker, 1917

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationsoldierportraitfoodscarfhelmetrifle

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering metallic surfaces, and creating depth through value and color variations. It also provides practice in depicting complex textures like fabric and metal.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the figure's coat.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow areas on the face, helmet, and scarf.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, rifle, and food, focusing on the textures and highlights.
step 06
Refine the edges and add final details, such as the steam from the cup and the highlights on the metal.
step 07
Add the text and logo elements.
step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · gray · red-orange · black · white

secondary · brown · silver

Achieve the various shades of gray by mixing black and white, and use small amounts of brown or red to warm the grays. The red-orange background can be created by mixing red and orange with white to create a softer hue.

techniques