plate no. 4263

Portrait of Two Sisters

oilRococoportraitfiguresportraitchildrendressesdollflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering delicate fabrics and textures. It also provides practice in creating subtle color variations and soft lighting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark browns and greens.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures and dresses with light, neutral tones.
step 04
Begin layering colors to define the forms and create depth in the faces and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the dresses, such as the ribbons, lace, and floral patterns.
step 06
Paint the doll and flower basket, paying attention to their textures and colors.
step 07
Refine the lighting and shadows to create a sense of volume and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · rose madder

Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to create the off-white tones of the dresses. Use ultramarine blue and white for the ribbons. Mix red and white for the pink accents.

techniques