plate no. 6983
Elizabeth and Anna
Frank W. Benson, 1909
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand impressionistic color mixing and how to create form using broken color. It also provides practice in capturing the effects of light on fabric and foliage.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the horizon line.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the sky, water, grass, and figures using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin building up the grass with short, broken strokes of yellow, green, and brown.
- step 04
Block in the figures' dresses with white, adding subtle shadows with blues and grays.
- step 05
Develop the facial features and hair with small, careful brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the details in the grass and foliage, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue
secondary · burnt sienna · viridian green · alizarin crimson
Achieve the subtle whites by mixing titanium white with small amounts of yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and burnt sienna. Use viridian green and yellow ochre for the grass, adjusting the mixture with burnt sienna for shadows.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·impasto
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Creating overly sharp edges, losing the impressionistic feel.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the white dresses.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·viridian green oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-sized canvas (16x20 or 18x24) is recommended.
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