plate no. 9848
Mother and Child in a Boat
Edmund Charles Tarbell, 1892
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for subtle variations and applying impressionistic brushstrokes to capture light and texture. It also provides practice in rendering figures and reflections in water.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the boat.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, such as the water, boat, and figures, using thin washes.
- step 03
Begin layering colors to create depth and dimension, paying attention to the light and shadows.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, such as the facial features and clothing folds.
- step 05
Develop the water by adding short, broken brushstrokes to simulate the reflections and ripples.
- step 06
Refine the foliage in the background, using a variety of greens and browns.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson
secondary · raw umber · sap green · cadmium yellow light
Mix blues and whites for the water, adding touches of yellow ochre and alizarin crimson for warmth. Use white with small amounts of crimson and yellow for the figures' skin tones. Mix greens from blue and yellow for the foliage.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·wet-on-wet blending
- ·scumbling
- ·impasto
- ·color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Neglecting the importance of light and shadow.
- →Getting lost in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to capture the movement and texture of the water.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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