plate no. 1200

Portrait of Marthe and Therese Galoppe

oil, canvasRealismportraitfiguresportraitdresseswomencouchflowers

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and folds with light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, couch, and dresses using thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones of the faces and hands, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the dresses, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume and texture.
step 05
Add the floral details on the dresses, using small brushes and delicate strokes.
step 06
Refine the background and add any remaining details, such as the jewelry and hair.
step 07
Glaze over the entire painting to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the realism of the portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix subtle variations of white with small amounts of yellow ochre, raw umber, and ivory black to create the different shades of white in the dresses. Use cadmium red light and alizarin crimson to create the red background.

techniques