plate no. 1912

Elizabeth and Carmen Pinschof

Tom Roberts, 1900

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigureshairclothingfaceswomen

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating soft, diffused lighting. It also provides practice in blending and layering to achieve subtle tonal variations.

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, paying attention to their placement and relationship to each other.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of dark browns and reds.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin tones, hair, and clothing, using a limited palette.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use subtle variations in color and value to create form.
step 05
Develop the hair, using loose, flowing brushstrokes to capture its texture and movement.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to the clothing to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the colors and create a sense of atmosphere.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, red, sienna, and a touch of blue. Achieve hair colors by blending umber, sienna, and red. Use white to lighten and create highlights.

techniques