plate no. 8926

By the Outdoor Photographer

Yiannis Moralis, 1934

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfiguresportraitsdressesbackgroundarchitecturechild

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplified figure drawing and color mixing to achieve muted tones. It also encourages exploration of expressive brushwork and composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and background elements on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the figures' dresses and the background, using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Gradually build up the color intensity and add subtle variations in tone to create depth and form.
step 04
Define the facial features and details of the figures, paying attention to their expressions.
step 05
Add the architectural details in the background, using simplified shapes and muted colors.
step 06
Introduce small details like the flower and the patterns on the dresses.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figures and objects to create a sense of unity.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · red · ochre · blue · white

secondary · green · black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing primary colors with white and small amounts of complementary colors. Use ochre and red to create the dress colors, and blue with white for the background.

techniques