plate no. 7595

Child (Study)

oilImpressionismsketch and studyfigurechildportraitsketchstudy

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and capturing light and shadow on a figure. It will also develop skills in simplifying forms and creating a sense of depth with limited color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the child's head, body, and arms.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background with a dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light on the face, body, and arms with a warm orange or yellow.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones by mixing the light and dark colors.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and suggest form.
step 06
Add highlights to the face and body to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and add details to the face.
step 08
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium orange · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dark background. Use yellow ochre and titanium white for the lighter skin tones, and add cadmium orange for warmth. Mix small amounts of ultramarine into the skin tones to create shadows.

techniques