plate no. 8651

Official Portrait of the Military Junta

Fernando Botero, 1971

oilNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitfiguresmilitaryportraitinterioruniformshorse

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve specific skin tones and muted colors, as well as understanding how to create volume and form through subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and objects, focusing on their simplified, rounded shapes and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background colors, starting with the pink wall and the green curtain.
step 03
Begin painting the figures, starting with the largest shapes and gradually adding details.
step 04
Mix and apply the base colors for the uniforms, skin tones, and other objects.
step 05
Add shadows and highlights to create volume and depth, paying attention to the light source.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces, uniforms, and accessories.
step 07
Paint the rug and other details in the foreground.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · red · olive green · pink · tan

secondary · black · white · brown · gold

Mix pinks by adding white to red. Achieve olive green by mixing green, brown, and a touch of yellow. Create skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.

techniques