plate no. 0919

N. F. S. Grundtvig

oil, canvasNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingcollarmedal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle skin tone variations. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and details like the collar and medal.

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 head, shoulders, and collar.
step 02
Establish the background tone with a thin wash of dark color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with mid-tones, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin layering and blending skin tones, gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the dark clothing, focusing on the subtle folds and variations in tone.
step 06
Carefully render the white collar, capturing its texture and form.
step 07
Add the details of the medal, paying attention to its intricate design.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final details.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and small amounts of red and blue. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The black clothing is a mix of ivory black and raw umber, lightened with white for highlights.

techniques