plate no. 1925

Philippe Lenoir

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitarylandscapeskyarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in landscape painting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, using simplified color values to define the form.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, including the buttons, epaulettes, and other embellishments.
step 06
Paint the hands and sword, paying attention to the anatomy and the way light interacts with the surfaces.
step 07
Add the final details to the background, including the architecture and foliage.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the dark blues of the uniform by mixing ultramarine blue with ivory black. Use glazes of burnt umber to create shadows and depth.

techniques