plate no. 7235

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformmedalropehistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for smooth skin tones and rendering fabric folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, focusing on accurate proportions and placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, uniform, and skin tones with thin washes.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, red, and yellow.
step 04
Paint the uniform, paying attention to the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Render the details of the uniform, including the gold embroidery, medals, and rope.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Mix various shades of red and brown with white to create the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a neutral background. Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the gold details.

techniques