plate no. 0995

Portrait of Helene and Michette Guinotte

Theo van Rysselberghe, 1901

oil, canvasPointillismportraitfiguresportraitchildrendresseshairindoor

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand color mixing for pointillism and how to build form with small strokes of color. It will also improve their ability to observe subtle color variations and apply them in a systematic way.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and their dresses.
step 02
Establish the main color areas: background, dresses, skin tones, and hair.
step 03
Begin applying small, individual dots of color, focusing on the background first.
step 04
Gradually build up the color layers in the dresses, paying attention to the variations in blue and white.
step 05
Work on the skin tones, using a mix of pinks, yellows, and blues to create a realistic effect.
step 06
Add details to the hair, using small strokes of orange, brown, and yellow.
step 07
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · cadmium yellow

secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix blues and whites for the dresses and background, adding small amounts of yellow for highlights. Use a combination of reds, yellows, and blues for the skin tones. Mix orange and brown for the hair, adding touches of yellow for highlights.

techniques

·pointillism
·color mixing
·layering
·optical mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Applying dots too uniformly, creating a flat and lifeless effect.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Losing the overall form and structure of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·small round brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags

optional

·medium gloss
·easel
·color wheel

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Choose small round brushes to create the pointillist effect. Use linseed oil to thin the paints and improve their flow.

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