plate no. 3505

Rachel and Laura Gurney

oilRomanticismportraitportraitchildrenfiguresdresseshairindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and subtle skin tones, as well as blending techniques to create soft transitions.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the dresses and hair, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the skin tones with subtle layers of color, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 06
Add details to the dresses and hair, such as the lace trim and ribbons.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 08
Varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, red, and yellow ochre with small amounts of burnt umber and blue. Use thin glazes to build up color and create subtle variations.

techniques

·portraiture
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong, especially in the faces.
→Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subjects.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags