plate no. 7564

Portrait of General Jose de San Martin

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistoricalneoclassical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle skin tone variations, and rendering of clothing folds. It also offers practice in creating a convincing sense of depth and form through value and color.

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, paying close attention to the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted colors, creating a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and shadow, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 04
Develop the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using subtle color variations to create a lifelike appearance.
step 05
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery, and the way light interacts with the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background and add any final details, such as highlights and shadows.
step 07
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of raw umber. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark tones of the clothing. Mix white with a touch of raw umber and blue for the background.

techniques