plate no. 0179

Luisa, Rosa and Raimundo, children of the painter

oil, canvasAcademicismportraitchildrenportraitgardendogfoliageclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding complex compositions with multiple figures and detailed backgrounds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, focusing on the overall tonal values.
step 03
Begin painting the figures, starting with the darkest areas and gradually building up the highlights.
step 04
Pay close attention to the skin tones, using subtle color variations to create a realistic effect.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, hair, and facial features, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the foliage and architectural elements.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers of color to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of ultramarine blue. Use burnt umber and ivory black for shadows and dark areas.

techniques