plate no. 3188
An Engaged Couple
Marianne Stokes, 1909
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and rendering details in clothing. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and their clothing.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the skin tones, clothing, and headwear.
- step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the faces.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the buttons, embroidery, and ribbons.
- step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures.
- step 07
Pay close attention to the details in the headwear, capturing the intricate patterns and textures.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black
Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Create the blue-gray of the clothing by mixing ultramarine blue, white, and a small amount of raw umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·rendering details
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of the facial expressions.
- →Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions.
- →Getting lost in the details before establishing the overall composition.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes 2, 4, 6
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) is recommended.
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