plate no. 5318

This is An Image of Hm King George V of the United Kingdom. He is Shown Wearing His Robes as Sovereign Head of the Most Venerable of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem.

Luke Fildes, 1920

oilAcademicismportraitportraitfigurerobeschaircolumninterior

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 gold embroidery. 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. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and key elements.
step 02
Establish the background with broad washes of color, focusing on the overall tone and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, including the robes, chair, and face, using simplified color values.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form and likeness.
step 05
Add details to the robes and chair, including the gold embroidery, medals, and fabric folds.
step 06
Develop the textures of the fabrics, using layering and dry brushing techniques to create depth and realism.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and visually appealing image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism and bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red; create shadows with burnt umber and blue. Use glazes of red and brown to build up the richness of the fabrics.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·dry brushing
·chiaroscuro
·fabric rendering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure
→Overworking the details too early
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject
→Muddying the colors by over-mixing
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, cadmium red, yellow ochre, titanium white, ultramarine blue, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags or paper towels