plate no. 3264

Lieutenant Colonel L. Robson, CMG, DSO

oilImpressionismportraitportraitmilitarymanuniformfigurehelmet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and details of a military uniform.

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, focusing on accurate placement of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of dark green and brown, creating a slightly mottled effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the uniform with a mid-tone green, paying attention to the folds and creases.
step 04
Begin to refine the face, using a limited palette of skin tones to build up the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, such as buttons, straps, and insignia, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Develop the hands and helmet, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone and texture.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · olive green · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of green by combining olive green, burnt umber, and yellow ochre. Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and cadmium red for the ribbons.

techniques