plate no. 9494

George III (1738–1820) (copy after Joshua Reynolds)

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurethronerobecrownpillar

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in depicting complex drapery and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, throne, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Work on the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Add details to the throne, crown, and other accessories, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Refine the facial features, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to create subtle variations in skin tones and drapery.

techniques