plate no. 9749

Louis VIII of France

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitportraitfigurekingcrownrobesword

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of facial features, as well as practice in depicting fabric and metallic textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted blues and grays.
step 03
Establish the main values of the face, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Begin layering the robe, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Paint the crown and sword, focusing on capturing the metallic sheen.
step 06
Add details to the face, including eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Refine the details of the robe and crown, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and values.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · ivory black · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Create the blue of the robe by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of black for shadows.

techniques