plate no. 0227

George III of the United Kingdom

oilRococoportraitportraitfigurered coatcrownroyallandscape

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of fabric textures, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in the background landscape.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the crown and background.
step 02
Establish the background with thin washes of color, paying attention to the atmospheric perspective and the distant ships.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, starting with the red coat and then the white breeches and black boots.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the red coat, building up the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Carefully render the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone and the expression.
step 06
Add the details of the crown, the sash, and other accessories, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the fabric folds and textures of the cloak and curtains, using a combination of blending and dry brushing.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism and depth.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix various shades of red by combining cadmium red with burnt umber and titanium white. Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Create the blue sash by mixing ultramarine blue with a small amount of ivory black.

techniques