plate no. 6700

The Right Honourable David Lloyd George

Augustus John, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingsuithistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering clothing folds with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating depth with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background, skin tones, and clothing.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure.
step 07
Check the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · burnt umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Create the suit color by mixing blue, black, and white, adjusting the proportions for different shades.

techniques