plate no. 8262

Las Dos Hermanas

Maria Blanchard, 1921

oilCubismportraitfiguresportraitinteriortablevaseclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing to achieve muted tones, and understanding abstract forms within a representational context. It also provides practice in capturing subtle light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the table.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, figures' clothing, and the table using thin washes.
step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the subtle shifts in tone and value to create form.
step 04
Pay close attention to the facial features, using small brushstrokes to define the planes of the face.
step 05
Add details to the table and vase, using a smaller brush to create texture and pattern.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figures, softening or sharpening them as needed.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · red · green · gray · white

secondary · black · brown · yellow

Mix muted tones by combining complementary colors (red and green, blue and orange) with white or gray. Use thin glazes to build up color depth and create subtle variations.

techniques