plate no. 2024

On the Terrace at Sèvres

oil, canvasImpressionismgenre paintingfiguresgardentreesclothinghatsportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with broken color, and in rendering figures with loose, expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and value variations.

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 their placement on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and yellow, creating a sense of light filtering through trees.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and clothing colors for each figure, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 06
Refine the background, adding more detail to the trees and foliage.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · viridian green · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and viridian green. Achieve skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Use ultramarine blue to darken shadows and create depth.

techniques