plate no. 3696

Portrait of a couple with two children and a nursemaid in a landscape

oilBaroqueportraitlandscapefigurestreescloudsanimalscarriage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic figures in a landscape setting, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and color mixing for natural light.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main shapes: landscape, figures, trees, and clouds.
step 02
Establish the sky with broad washes of blue and gray, blending the clouds softly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the landscape: dark greens for the trees, browns for the ground, and lighter greens for the distant fields.
step 04
Start defining the figures with basic shapes and colors, paying attention to proportions and poses.
step 05
Add details to the trees, including branches, leaves, and variations in color and texture.
step 06
Refine the figures by adding details to their clothing, faces, and hands.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension throughout the painting.
step 08
Finish with small details like the animals, carriage, and subtle variations in the landscape.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black · sap green

Mix blues and whites for the sky; umber, ochre, and white for the ground; and greens from blue, yellow, and umber. Use red and black sparingly for accents in the figures' clothing.

techniques