plate no. 8088

Nursemaid in Kelvingrove Park

oilImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresparkwatertreesbuildingducks

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and capturing the subtle reflections in water. It also provides practice in painting figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures, the building, and the water line.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: sky, water, grass, and building.
step 03
Add the darker tones to define the shadows and create depth in the trees and figures.
step 04
Begin layering colors in the water to create the illusion of reflections.
step 05
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds in their clothing.
step 06
Add highlights to the water, trees, and figures to create a sense of light.
step 07
Paint the ducks, using short brushstrokes to suggest their feathers.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · grey · green · brown · white

secondary · red · yellow · blue

Mix various shades of grey by combining white with small amounts of brown, blue, and red. Achieve the greens by mixing blue and yellow, and adjust the hue with small amounts of brown or white.

techniques