plate no. 2967

Children making silhouettes

Carl von Bergen, 1905

oil, canvasAcademicismgenre paintingchildrenfiguresinteriorwindowpaper dollsdomestic scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle skin tones and facial expressions, as well as rendering realistic light and shadow within an interior space. Students will also learn to create a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main figures and objects, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted green and brown tones, gradually building up depth and atmosphere.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures, starting with the larger areas like the red skirt and the lighter skin tones.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the faces, focusing on capturing the subtle expressions and features.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing, using a combination of blending and layering techniques.
step 06
Add details to the paper dolls and other objects, paying attention to their texture and form.
step 07
Refine the light and shadow throughout the painting, creating a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cadmium red · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · viridian green · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of raw umber. Create muted greens for the background by mixing viridian green with raw umber and titanium white. Achieve the red skirt color by mixing cadmium red with a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques