plate no. 0184

Mme Boursier and Her Daughter

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguresmotherchildinteriorclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness and expression, and understanding the use of broken color and loose brushwork to create form and texture. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and rendering clothing folds.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and figures with thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin to build up the values and colors in the faces, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the clothing and other details, using loose brushstrokes to suggest form and texture.
step 05
Refine the facial features and add details such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the final touches and highlights to the painting, paying attention to the overall balance and harmony.
step 07
Consider adding a thin glaze to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely before varnishing.

color palette

primary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark blues and blacks of the clothing. Mix greens with viridian and yellow ochre.

techniques