plate no. 8185

Cornet Sir George Cooke

oil, canvasRococoportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformhatskyclouds

experienced study

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of muted grays and blues.
step 03
Establish the main shapes and values of the face, focusing on accurate placement of features.
step 04
Begin layering in the colors of the uniform, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, refining the likeness.
step 06
Work on the details of the uniform, including the gold trim, buttons, and sash.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix various shades of gray for the background by combining black and white with small amounts of blue and umber. Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·layering

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, cadmium red, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber)
·assorted round and flat brushes
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife