plate no. 3399

Portrait of a Second Lieutenant

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformdraperycolumnman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color mixing for skin tones, and rendering of textures in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through value changes.

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 background with broad strokes, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figure's clothing, focusing on the darks of the uniform and the lighter tones of the cloak.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 05
Add details to the uniform, including the buttons, braids, and epaulettes.
step 06
Refine the drapery, creating folds and highlights to suggest volume.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face, hair, and clothing.
step 08
Glaze the entire painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the dark uniform color by mixing ivory black and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue to cool the darks.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·chiaroscuro
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to create a sense of depth through value changes.
→Getting lost in details before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 18x24
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags