plate no. 2644
Mother pride
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, rendering skin tones with subtle variations, and using a limited palette to create a harmonious composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions and placement of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of yellow ochre.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and the tree with burnt umber.
- step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, using a mix of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 06
Develop the drapery and foliage, using broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the balustrade and add any remaining details.
- step 08
Add the text 'FIERTE' and 'MATERNELLE'
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · raw sienna · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber; use raw sienna and ivory black to create darker shades for shadows and foliage.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
- →Making the background too uniform and lacking depth.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to allow for subtle blending.
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