plate no. 8978
King Erekle II of Georgia
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice simplifying forms and using bold, visible brushstrokes to create texture. It also provides an opportunity to explore color mixing for skin tones and achieving a sense of depth through value contrast.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of orange for the background.
- step 03
Block in the large areas of black for the clothing and hat.
- step 04
Add the blue sash and white shawl, paying attention to the folds.
- step 05
Mix and apply the skin tones, using highlights and shadows to define the face.
- step 06
Paint the details of the uniform, including the gold trim and buttons.
- step 07
Add the details of the hat, including the white stripes and small decorations.
- step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.
color palette
primary · orange · black · white
secondary · blue · yellow · grey
Mix the skin tones using white, black, and a touch of orange. Create the blue sash by mixing blue with white. Achieve the gold trim by mixing yellow with a touch of brown.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·simplifying forms
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the simplicity of the style.
- →Using too much detail in the face, making it look less stylized.
- →Not achieving enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
- →Making the colors too saturated and bright.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Oil paints (orange, black, white, blue, yellow)
- ·Round brushes (#2, #6)
- ·Flat brush (#8)
- ·Palette
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retarder
Use a canvas with a slightly textured surface to enhance the brushwork. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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