plate no. 2397

Portrait of Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood

oilRococoportraitportraitfigureshipoceanmilitary uniformsword

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the proportions and placement of the figure, ship, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on accurately capturing the likeness of the subject, paying close attention to facial features and expression.
step 04
Develop the details of the military uniform, including the gold embellishments and buttons.
step 05
Create depth in the background by layering washes of color and gradually adding details to the ships and sky.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and dimension.
step 07
Add final details, such as the texture of the hair and the reflections in the sword.
step 08
Glaze the entire painting to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, titanium white, and burnt umber. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow to create the gold tones in the uniform. Add ultramarine blue to the grays for cooler shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·atmospheric perspective
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Failing to accurately capture the likeness of the subject.
→Overworking the details of the uniform, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Creating a background that is too distracting or overpowering.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.