plate no. 7342

Study of Amacie and Irene De La Grange

oilNaturalismsketch and studyfigureschildrendoglandscapetreesgrass

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose brushwork and capturing light and shadow on figures in an outdoor setting. It will also develop skills in color mixing to achieve naturalistic skin tones and foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the dog.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and brown, creating a sense of depth.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and clothing colors for the figures, using thin washes.
step 04
Begin to build up the forms of the figures and the dog with thicker paint and more defined brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create dimension and volume.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces and clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 07
Add details to the grass and foliage, using short, broken strokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · ultramarine blue

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red for skin tones; use viridian green and ultramarine blue for cooler greens in the background; mix burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the dog's dark fur.

techniques