plate no. 1685

Le baron Jean-Dominique Larrey

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformclothingmanhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of facial features, as well as practice in depicting complex textures and details in clothing and accessories.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and clothing.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the uniform, including the gold braid, buttons, and collar.
step 05
Develop the background with subtle variations in color and texture.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and edges throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · titanium white · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Darken colors with burnt umber and black, and lighten with white and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue mixed with burnt umber for the dark areas of the uniform.

techniques