plate no. 4168

Grandmother and Granddaughter

Lovis Corinth, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguresgrandmothergranddaughterclothingheadwear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing likeness with simplified forms. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create depth and dimension.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures, focusing on their relative positions and sizes.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color, using a limited palette of earth tones and blues.
step 03
Begin building up the darker values in the clothing and background, using bold, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix and apply the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Define the facial features with careful attention to detail, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the hair, clothing, and faces to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments to the values, colors, and details.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · raw umber

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, and a touch of cadmium red light. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the dark tones in the clothing. Add yellow ochre to white for highlights.

techniques