plate no. 5073

The Honourable, Later Admiral, Henry Curzon (1765–1846)

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureclothingmilitaryhistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as blending techniques for skin tones and rendering fabric textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure and the main shapes of the clothing.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of muted colors.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the buttons, trim, and folds.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the hair to create volume and texture.
step 07
Refine the background and adjust the overall values to create depth.
step 08
Add final details and glazes to unify the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · gold

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the dark blue of the coat by mixing ultramarine blue and ivory black. Use gold for the buttons.

techniques