plate no. 2949

Portrait of Adam Duncan, 1st Viscount Duncan

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryclothingmedalhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and metallic details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Define the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add the metallic details of the medals and epaulettes, paying attention to highlights and reflections.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and values.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the dark blues of the coat by mixing ivory black and ultramarine blue. Use yellow ochre and burnt umber for the gold details.

techniques