plate no. 7789

Eleanor and Benny

Frank W. Benson, 1916

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresbenchgardentreesfoliagedaylight

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow, mixing subtle color variations, and rendering figures in a naturalistic setting using impressionistic brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the bench.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes, capturing the light filtering through the trees.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow on their forms.
step 04
Refine the shapes and details of the figures, adding subtle color variations to create depth.
step 05
Paint the bench, using short, broken brushstrokes to suggest its texture and form.
step 06
Add details to the foliage and ground, varying the colors and textures to create visual interest.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the sense of light and atmosphere.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · ultramarine blue · raw sienna

Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the greens by mixing yellow ochre, viridian green, and ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and white for the shadows on the bench and figures.

techniques