plate no. 5992

Portrait of General in Chief, Count William W.Fermor

oil, canvasBaroqueportraitportraitfigureclothingcolumntasselhat

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of fabric textures. It will also provide practice in creating subtle color variations to depict light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes of the background, clothing, and face with thin washes of color.
step 03
Start building up the values in the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in tone.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds, textures, and embellishments.
step 05
Paint the background with soft, blended brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the details of the hat and column.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre to add warmth to the skin tones. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create subtle color variations.

techniques