plate no. 5906

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformred coatgold detailsdark background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict textures in clothing 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 composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and uniform.
step 04
Refine the skin tones with subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, including the buttons, trim, and epaulettes.
step 06
Create highlights and shadows to define the form of the figure.
step 07
Pay attention to the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red; darken with burnt umber. Achieve the red coat color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of black and umber for shadows. Use gold paint or mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the metallic details.

techniques