plate no. 0647

The Artist’s Son and Sister in the Garden at Sevres

oilImpressionismportraitfiguresgardenflowerstreesportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in broken color techniques and capturing light and shadow with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in rendering figures in a landscape setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and major elements.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, broken brushstrokes, using greens, browns, and hints of red for the flowers.
step 03
Block in the figures with basic shapes and values, paying attention to proportions.
step 04
Develop the light and shadow on the figures, using a limited palette of colors.
step 05
Add details to the figures, such as facial features and clothing patterns, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the background, adding more detail and texture to the foliage and flowers.
step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value contrast to create a cohesive and visually appealing painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of green by combining yellow ochre, viridian, and ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, burnt umber, and cadmium red light. Use alizarin crimson to deepen reds and create shadows.

techniques

·broken color
·impasto
·scumbling
·alla prima
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Neglecting to capture the subtle variations in light and shadow.
→Focusing too much on detail and losing the overall impressionistic feel.
→Incorrect proportions of the figures.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, viridian, ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife