plate no. 9117

The Two Crowns

Frank Dicksee, 1900

oilRomanticismhistory paintingfigureshorsecrownarmorflagscrowd

advanced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering complex figures, drapery, and metallic surfaces, as well as understanding how to create a dynamic composition with many elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and the horse, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background elements, such as the flags and architecture, using simplified shapes.
step 03
Block in the main colors for each area, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Start refining the details of the king's armor, using layers of color to create highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the figures surrounding the king, paying attention to their expressions and poses.
step 06
Add details to the horse, including the harness and the texture of its coat.
step 07
Refine the background elements, adding details to the flags and architecture.
step 08
Add final details such as the flowers and the subtle highlights on the figures and horse.

color palette

primary · gold · red · white · brown

secondary · green · blue · pink · grey

Achieve the gold tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of white. Create the various reds by mixing crimson with burnt umber and a touch of cadmium red for brighter areas.

techniques

·glazing
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro
·rendering metal
·drapery folds

common pitfalls

→Getting lost in the details too early without establishing the overall composition.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Incorrect proportions of the figures and horse.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (24x36 inches)
·Oil paints (various colors including gold, red, white, brown, green, blue, pink, grey)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Turpentine
·Palette knife
·Easel