plate no. 8246

Rear-admiral Sir Horatio Nelson

oilRococoportraitportraitfiguremilitary uniformhatmedalshistorical

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering details in clothing and accessories. It also provides practice in layering and blending to achieve realistic skin tones and textures.

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 and hat on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, uniform, and hat, focusing on accurate values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the details of the uniform, including the gold trim, buttons, and medals.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the clothing and accessories.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray for the background and uniform. Use white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red to create realistic skin tones. Add ultramarine blue to black for the dark blue of the uniform.

techniques

·portrait painting
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering gold

common pitfalls

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

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, raw sienna, yellow ochre, cadmium yellow, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife