plate no. 4897

Colonel (later Brigadier Sir) John Kinninmont Dunlop, Assistant Adjutant General of the Territorial Army

Arthur Pan, 1937

oil, canvasRealismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryuniformmanclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of light and shadow on the face and clothing. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the placement of key features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure of the painting.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Develop the details of the uniform, including the buttons, ribbons, and other embellishments.
step 05
Paint the coat, focusing on the folds and drapery to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Add the gloves and other accessories, paying attention to the texture and details.
step 07
Refine the background, creating a subtle gradient to enhance the sense of depth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the coat color by mixing black, white, and a touch of blue. Use glazes of red and brown to create depth in the shadows.

techniques