plate no. 9912

Misses Agnes and Margaret Perigal

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureschildrendresseshairbackground

some experience helpful

This painting offers a good opportunity to practice portraiture, focusing on skin tones and subtle color variations. Students can also learn about creating soft, diffused lighting and rendering fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figures' poses and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a base layer of red, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a mix of white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, adding highlights and shadows to define the forms.
step 05
Paint the dresses, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add the details of the hair, using thin brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes and lips.
step 08
Add the final details, such as the black ribbons and any small highlights.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. The background is a mix of red and burnt umber, with subtle variations in tone.

techniques