plate no. 4226

Antoine-Henri Jomini, Russian General

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformred backgroundepaulettesmedal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as practicing rendering textures of fabric and metallic details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red and gradually build up the darker areas.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, using a limited palette of skin tones and focusing on the light and shadow.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the uniform, starting with the dark areas and gradually adding highlights and details.
step 06
Render the epaulettes and medals, using a combination of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the hair and the subtle highlights on the face and uniform.
step 08
Glaze to unify colors and adjust values.

color palette

primary · red · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows. Achieve the gold tones by mixing cadmium yellow, burnt umber, and a touch of red.

techniques