plate no. 8735

Portrait of King Edward Vii

Luke Fildes, 1912

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitportraitfigurecrownrobecolumnroyal

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of textures like fur and fabric. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations and value shifts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, crown, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of color, such as the red robe, white fur, and background.
step 03
Begin refining the figure's features, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns on the face and hands.
step 04
Add details to the clothing and accessories, such as the crown, scepter, and decorations on the robe.
step 05
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through subtle color variations and soft edges.
step 06
Refine the details and textures of the fur, fabric, and metal elements.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance in the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Achieve the various shades of red by mixing cadmium red with varying amounts of white, yellow ochre, and burnt umber. Create the fur color by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·scumbling
·rendering of textures
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Inaccurate proportions of the figure.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Incorrect color mixing leading to muddy or unnatural colors.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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