plate no. 4156

Mrs. Thomas Keyes and Her Daughter

oil, canvasRococoportraitfiguresportraitinteriorlandscapedraperyfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and fabric textures. It also provides practice in composing a scene with figures and background elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and major elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas, starting with the background and then the figures' clothing.
step 03
Develop the skin tones, using layers of thin paint to create subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the faces, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Work on the drapery, using highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 06
Paint the background landscape, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details, such as the flowers, furniture, and accessories.
step 08
Glaze the painting to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or umber. Create the fabric's subtle shades by mixing white with small amounts of black, umber, or blue.

techniques