Painting Portrait - Fav Photos 2024

A Royal Portrait

It had been ten years since Lawrence had ascended the throne, and to mark the occasion it was a long honoured tradition for the King to have an official portrait painted. It would be unveiled at the jubilee celebrations on the anniversary of his ascension.

Posing for a Painting

Lawrence was a busy King and didn't really have much use for pomp and ceremony, but it was part of his job, and Monica kept reminding him that it was traditional for the King to pose for a special portrait every ten years to mark the anniversary of his ascending the throne. So he didn't really have much choice. The Queen, who loved her husband dearly, dreamt of a magnificent portrait with him all decked out in full royal regalia. So it had been arranged....

As luck would have it, Narin, who was the King's private secretary, also happened to be a very skilled artist, and he agreed to paint the portrait. Which pleased Lawrence no end, because he could still discuss business with Narin, instead of wasting his whole day standing there posing for a painting in silence with some flaky artist.

Narin was all set up in the great hall, ready to begin. "I understand that you'd like your horse in the painting as well Sire..."

"...so he's waiting in full armour, and I'll fetch him as soon as you are ready."

"Great. Shall we get started then?"

Getting Ready

Monica and Narin helped Lawrence into his royal robes....

"I really don't have time for this," he complained.

"I know dear. But it's been a long-standing tradition."

"And it's only once every ten years, Sire."

"Well, I guess we better get on with it then."

Narin placed the royal chain of office on Lawrence's shoulders....

...and adjusted it a bit...

"There...I think we are almost ready."

the Crown

"You still need your crown, my love."

"Not that one. I'd rather be immortalized in something less ostentatious."

Monica wasn't going to argue. It was enough that her husband was even going to pose for a portrait, so she passed the crown of state to Narin to place on the throne. There it would be in the background, but at least still in the painting.

Then she placed the smaller royal circlet on Lawrence's head instead.

"Hold still!"

Finally he was ready...

the King's Horse

Narin went to fetch Lawrence's horse...

"His groom has fed and watered him..."

"..so he should be okay for a while."

"Hopefully he won't get too restless before I can capture his likeness."

And then Lawrence and his horse were finally ready for their portrait..

Painting the King's Portrait

Narin did a quick sketch and started painting.

He'd never done a royal portrait before...

Narin had been highly educated, but also had a love of art so had studied under the best artists of the day. However he found there wasn't much money in being a painter, so he found a position as the King's secretary instead.

But he was still a very skilled artist, and was feeling reasonably confident that he could do it.

He started with a quick likeness of the royal robes....

Narin knew better than anyone how busy the King was...

So the goal was to start by capturing the details of the royal robes....

...and that of his the horse's armour...

....and then he could finish the King's likeness and the background later, at another time.

Checking In

Lawrence had been standing, posing for his portrait for what felt like hours....

Monica came in to check on Narin's progress....

She kept looking at her husband, who she thought looked absolutely magnificent.
"How is it going?"

"Fine, my Lady. I'm quite happy with how the painting is coming along."

"I know His Majesty is too busy to pose like this a second time..."

"So I've been focusing on capturing all the details in his regalia first. I'll address his actual likeness later."

"Well, it looks like you've been doing an excellent job so far."

Lawrence interrupted the two of them....

"My horse is getting very restless. He's had enough with standing here."

"it's time to stop."

"Very well Sire. Time to call it quits for today."

the King's Reaction

One of the grooms came to take the horse back to the stable, and Lawrence went to look at the painting. He was curious to see what Narin had done...

Narin was a bit nervous about what his boss' reaction would be.

Lawrence looked at the painting...."Hmmm...."

"Keep in mind, your Majesty, that I was primarily focussed on capturing the royal robes, so you wouldn't need to pose in them again."

"Well, that's a relief," quipped Lawrence as he took them off...

Lawrence stared at the painting, but didn't quite know what to say.

"I know it doesn't look exactly like you yet, dear."

"No, it doesn't."

"It wasn't meant to just yet." added Narin. "I wanted the robes to be perfect so your Majesty wouldn't need to pose in them again, so that's what I was working on today. That, and the royal steed."

"I will finish your likeness later, on another day, privately at your convenience in your office."

"That sounds like a great idea."

"The robes do look really good." she added.

"Yes, they do," he agreed.

"So, if Narin does as good job on your likeness dear, it will be one magnificent painting."

"I hope so."

the Clean Up

The royal steed was back in the stable, the King and Queen had left, and Narin had removed the painting and all his supplies. Then it was time for the stable hand to come and clean up after the horse.