plate no. 8608

King George V

Luke Fildes, 1911

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfigureroyalcrownrobeuniform

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness, as well as rendering complex textures like fabric and fur.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, paying attention to subtle shifts in tone and color.
step 04
Begin refining the figure, focusing on accurate anatomy and facial features.
step 05
Layer in details of the clothing, including the robe, uniform, and embellishments.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Carefully render the crown and other accessories.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · gold

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the rich red of the robe by layering cadmium red with a touch of black for shadows.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions can ruin the likeness of the portrait.
→Overworking details too early can lead to a stiff and lifeless painting.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure will result in a flat image.
→Ignoring subtle color variations will make the painting appear dull.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·oil paints (ivory black, titanium white, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt umber)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·palette knife