plate no. 6435

Mother at the funeral of her child

oilRomanticismportraitfigurearchitecturelandscapetreesskystone wall

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, rendering fabric, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also offers practice in depicting subtle color variations in natural light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the main architectural elements.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, the stone wall, and the trees, using simplified color masses.
step 04
Develop the values and colors of the figure, paying attention to the light and shadow on the face and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the stone wall, creating texture and depth with varied brushstrokes and color.
step 06
Refine the foliage of the trees, using small brushstrokes to suggest leaves and branches.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium yellow light · ivory black

Achieve the skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna. The greens are created by mixing blue, yellow, and umber. Use white to lighten and create atmospheric perspective.

techniques