plate no. 7318

Maternite, Anne Marie et Marthe a la Bague Ovale

Maurice Denis, 1902

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitmotherbabyinteriorwindow

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes. Students will also learn to simplify complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the mother's head and body, the baby, and the background elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figures.
step 03
Focus on establishing the correct values and color relationships between the different areas.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and add details, such as the facial features and the folds in the clothing.
step 05
Pay close attention to the light and shadow on the figures, and use this to create a sense of depth.
step 06
Add the final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the texture of the hair.
step 07
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the colors, values, or shapes.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then apply a varnish to protect the surface.

color palette

primary · burgundy · flesh tones (pink, peach, cream) · olive green

secondary · yellow ochre · cerulean blue · burnt umber

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or burnt sienna. The burgundy is a mix of red and a touch of black or burnt umber. The green background is a mix of yellow and blue with a touch of brown.

techniques

·color mixing
·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish the correct values and color relationships.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Making the skin tones too flat or lifeless.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints: titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, burnt sienna, burnt umber, cerulean blue, olive green
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags