plate no. 2861

Children and Nurses

Ethel Carrick, 1910

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresbuildingarchitecturecrowdnurseschildren

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in motion with loose brushwork and creating depth through atmospheric perspective and value relationships.

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 of the building and figures, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to define forms and add texture.
step 04
Focus on capturing the essence of the figures rather than precise details.
step 05
Use broken color and short strokes to create a sense of movement and light.
step 06
Pay attention to the relationships between colors and values to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the details in the foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create contrast.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · titanium white

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining ivory black, raw umber, and yellow ochre. Use white to lighten values and create highlights. Add small amounts of red or blue to create subtle color variations.

techniques