plate no. 8799

Captain the Honourable John Byron

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguremilitaryclothingbackgroundsky

some experience helpful

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

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, shoulders, and arms.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark browns and grays, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, using subtle color variations to create form and volume.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including the gold trim and buttons, using a smaller brush.
step 06
Blend the edges of the forms to create smooth transitions and soft shadows.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a sense of light and dimension.
step 08
Refine the background and add any final details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or brown. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark blues of the coat. Mix yellow ochre and cadmium yellow light for the gold trim.

techniques