plate no. 3085
Painting My Wife and Daughter
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with broken color and creating a sense of atmosphere through loose brushwork. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a natural, informal setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and the window structure, focusing on proportions and placement.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in the large areas of color, such as the walls, floor, and figures' clothing.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns on their faces and clothing.
- step 04
Develop the background by layering colors and textures to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 05
Refine the details of the window and the objects in the foreground, adding highlights and shadows to create form.
- step 06
Use broken color techniques to create a sense of vibrancy and light throughout the painting.
- step 07
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.
- step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber · cadmium red light
secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson
Mix various shades of white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and cadmium red to create the skin tones. Use viridian and ultramarine blue to create the greens and blues of the background and clothing. Mix alizarin crimson with cadmium red to create the reds of the pillows and details.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
- ·alla prima
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the sense of spontaneity.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the figures.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and light.
- →Not establishing a clear focal point.
- →Ignoring the importance of edges and transitions.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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