plate no. 8945
Mrs Dora Lamm and Her Two Eldest Sons
Carl Larsson, 1903
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing realistic skin tones, and rendering complex interior scenes with multiple light sources. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and intricate details.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and furniture, paying attention to proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the background colors, including the wall and the chest of drawers.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the figures: the red dress, white clothing, and skin tones.
- step 04
Begin to develop the details of the faces, focusing on highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 05
Work on the folds and textures of the clothing, using layering and blending techniques.
- step 06
Add details to the furniture and background elements, such as the clock, flowers, and wall decorations.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive image.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · red · white · gold · blue
secondary · green · pink · brown · ivory
Achieve the red dress color by mixing a deep red with touches of brown and white for highlights. Skin tones can be created by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use varying amounts of white to create lighter and darker shades.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·figure drawing
- ·color layering
- ·blending
- ·rendering fabrics
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- →Not paying enough attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
- ·Oil paints: red, white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue
- ·Round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·Flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·Palette
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette knife
optional
- ·Medium gloss
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grit canvas will provide a good surface for layering and blending.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
