plate no. 8504

Double portrait of the artist's daughters, Marie and Hedwig Knaus

oilAcademicismportraitfigureschildrendollparrotinteriordresses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the proportions and placement of the figures and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes, focusing on the dark, warm tones.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and their clothing, using simplified color values.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Develop the details of the dresses, capturing the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the parrot and the doll, adding details to their features and textures.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the jewelry, the carpet pattern, and the highlights on the figures.
step 08
Glaze and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and burnt sienna. Use titanium white to lighten these colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of cadmium red and yellow ochre to warm the skin tones.

techniques