plate no. 8208
Family Group (The Bromley Family)
Violet Oakley, 1936
experienced study
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 clothing folds.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the window and any surrounding elements.
- step 03
Begin to define the individual figures, starting with the faces and then moving to the clothing.
- step 04
Pay close attention to the light and shadow on the faces to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures of the fabric.
- step 06
Refine the background and add any finishing touches, such as highlights or subtle color variations.
- step 07
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to balance the elements.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green
Mix various shades of brown and gray for the clothing and background. Use red and white to create the skin tones, and add blue or green for shadows.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
- ·color mixing
- ·blending
- ·glazing
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of harmony.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a high-quality canvas and oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and blending of the paints.
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