plate no. 0323

Frank W. Benson, Mrs. Henry Proctor Barbara and Francis, 1917

oilRealismportraitfiguresportraitchildrendressgrandmotherfamily

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric and creating a sense of depth through value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main colors of the skin, hair, and clothing, focusing on accurate color mixing.
step 04
Develop the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in tone and color.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add the background details, ensuring they remain secondary to the figures.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and values to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the whites of the dresses by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow.

techniques