plate no. 0203

Marechal Mortier

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformhistorical figureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of clothing and details. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and overall pose.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted colors, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and uniform, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle value changes to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the uniform, including the buttons, trim, and epaulettes, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Work on the hair, using loose, flowing strokes to capture the highlights and shadows.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding details as needed to create a cohesive and balanced image.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue to create the blacks and grays for the uniform and background. Mix red and white for the red accents.

techniques