plate no. 7871
Maternal love
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, figure drawing, and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in blending and creating soft transitions.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 05
Work on the background, creating a soft and atmospheric effect.
- step 06
Add the final details, such as the facial features and hair.
- step 07
Glaze layers to adjust colors and values.
- step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red
secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or umber for shadows. Red and umber create the clothing color.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the skin tones and making them look muddy.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Not paying enough attention to the details of the clothing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow of the paint.
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