plate no. 0821

Portrait of Admiral Sir Robert Bruce-Kingsmill BT

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremanclothingmilitaryuniform

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, skin tone mixing, and rendering of fabric and details. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown or gray.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and uniform, focusing on the overall values.
step 04
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Work on the uniform, adding details such as the buttons, collar, and epaulettes.
step 07
Refine the hair, adding highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. The uniform is primarily black and blue, lightened with white for highlights.

techniques