plate no. 9094

Mrs Cyprian Williams and Her Two Little Girls

oilImpressionismportraitfiguresinteriorportraitschildrenflowersfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with loose brushstrokes and mixing subtle color variations to create a harmonious composition. It also provides an opportunity to practice painting figures in a relaxed, informal setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and furniture, paying attention to proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the figures' clothing.
step 03
Develop the values and forms of the figures, using a limited palette and focusing on light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the faces and hands, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 05
Paint the patterns on the furniture and clothing, simplifying the designs and focusing on the overall effect.
step 06
Add the flowers and other small details, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
step 07
Refine the edges and transitions between colors, softening some areas and sharpening others.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

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

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray by combining ivory black and titanium white. Add small amounts of ultramarine blue or raw umber to adjust the temperature of the grays. Use burnt sienna and cadmium red light sparingly to create warm accents in the skin tones and background.

techniques