plate no. 9008

Henri Eugene Philippe Duc d'Aumale, Commander of the 17th Batallion of the Light Infantry

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformclothingskylandscape

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 skin tones and rendering textures in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and torso.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's skin, hair, and clothing.
step 03
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, brown, and yellow.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the subject's likeness.
step 05
Render the clothing, paying attention to the folds and creases in the fabric and the details of the military uniform.
step 06
Paint the metallic details of the uniform, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and shine.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting, ensuring that all elements are cohesive and well-balanced.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the dark uniform color by mixing ivory black and raw umber, adding ultramarine for depth.

techniques