plate no. 8947

King Edward Vii

Luke Fildes, 1905

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingformal wearoval frame

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in painting textures of different fabrics and metallic details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and oval frame.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes, focusing on the overall value and color.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the face, paying close attention to the placement of features.
step 04
Begin layering in the skin tones, gradually building up highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery of the fabric.
step 06
Add details such as the beard, hair, and medals, paying attention to texture and light.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of raw umber. Achieve the darks in the clothing by mixing black and raw umber. Use ultramarine blue for the sash.

techniques

·portrait sketching
·value studies
·layering
·blending
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face and body.
→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Neglecting the subtle variations in color and value.
→Getting lost in details too early in the process.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags