plate no. 7316
Soldier of the Tuscan National Guard
Odoardo Borrani, 1861
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering realistic clothing folds and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth through atmospheric perspective and value contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the oval composition and the basic proportions of the figure and background elements.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the darkest shadows and the sky.
- step 03
Refine the figure's features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
- step 04
Develop the details of the uniform, including the buttons, belt, and rifle.
- step 05
Add details to the background architecture, focusing on the stonework and distant landscape.
- step 06
Refine the values and edges throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 07
Add final highlights and details to the figure and background.
- step 08
Glaze or scumble layers to unify the colors and create a smooth finish.
color palette
primary · ivory black · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw umber
secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre
Mix blacks with blues and browns for depth, use white to create highlights and lighter tones, and mix reds with browns for the uniform's trim.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value study
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong
- →Overworking the details
- →Creating muddy colors
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (oval)
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint for glazing.
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