plate no. 1138

Portrait of John Henry Lefroy

oilRomanticismportraitfiguresnowtreesdogstentlandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in a landscape setting, as well as practicing color mixing for snow and atmospheric perspective. Students will also learn to create depth and texture using layering and glazing techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures, tent, and trees.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the sky and distant mountains.
step 03
Establish the values of the snow, noting the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions and anatomical details.
step 05
Add details to the dogs and sled, paying attention to the textures of fur and fabric.
step 06
Work on the trees, creating depth through layering and varying the size and shape of the branches.
step 07
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · sap green

Mix various shades of white with small amounts of blue, umber, and ochre to create the different tones of snow. Use glazes of blue and umber to create atmospheric perspective in the distance.

techniques