plate no. 5051

Marshal Exelmans

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfiguremilitarylandscapeclothingsky

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including proportion and likeness, as well as rendering complex textures and details in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in the background landscape.

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 figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background landscape.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and shadows on the face and hands.
step 04
Begin layering the colors and details of the uniform, focusing on the gold embellishments.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the clothing and accessories.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Mix various shades of brown and green for the landscape. Use white and yellow ochre to create highlights in the clothing and skin tones. Mix red and white to create the sash.

techniques