plate no. 0712

Portrait of Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformmedalmanhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric, metal, and hair.

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 basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown, gradually building up depth and variations in tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light flesh tones, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin to define the features of the face, refining the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the hair with loose, flowing strokes, capturing the highlights and shadows to create volume.
step 06
Block in the uniform with dark blues and blacks, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Carefully render the details of the uniform, including the gold trim, buttons, and medal.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the face, hair, and uniform to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix various shades of brown for the background by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and ivory black. Flesh tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, cadmium red light, and a touch of yellow ochre.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·chiaroscuro
·rendering metallic textures

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in tone in the background.
→Getting lost in the details of the uniform before establishing the overall form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, burnt sienna
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags