plate no. 2681

Children of Dr. Tas

Moise Kisling, 1930

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitfiguresportraitchildrenclothingindoorhands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing the likeness and emotion of the subjects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of color for the background, clothing, and skin tones.
step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the clothing and background, adding texture and details.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cadmium yellow light

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of ultramarine blue. The pink dress is a mix of white and alizarin crimson. The blue shirt is ultramarine blue with white and a touch of burnt umber.

techniques

·portraiture
·color mixing
·glazing
·blending
·layering

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figures.
→Muddy or flat skin tones.
→Overly harsh or undefined shadows.
→Losing the likeness of the subjects.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (titanium white, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, burnt umber, raw sienna)
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·palette
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits

optional