plate no. 1464

Portrait of Otto Marstrand's Two Daughters and their West Indian Nanny, Justina, in Frederiksberg Garden

oil, canvasRomanticismportraitfiguresportraitlandscapetreesskyclothing

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 create depth and atmosphere in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the sky, trees, and distant figures.
step 03
Begin working on the figures, starting with the central nanny figure, focusing on accurate skin tones and facial features.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Paint the two daughters, capturing their individual features and expressions.
step 06
Add the red shawl, carefully rendering its folds and highlights.
step 07
Refine the details of the background, adding depth and atmosphere to the landscape.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to the figures and clothing, ensuring a cohesive and polished finish.

color palette

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

secondary · cerulean blue · viridian green · burnt umber

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, ivory black, and titanium white. Create the blue dresses by mixing cerulean blue with white and a touch of black for shadows.

techniques