plate no. 6670

The Artist's Wife with Their Son

oilRealismportraitfigureportraitmotherchildbenchtrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective in the background.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background, using soft, blended brushstrokes to create a sense of depth.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the faces, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and accessories, such as the hat and the bench.
step 06
Refine the overall color harmony and value relationships.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, sienna, and white. Use yellow ochre and cadmium red to create subtle skin tones.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·layering
·atmospheric perspective
·value control

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall harmony.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Creating muddy or dull colors.
→Not capturing the likeness of the subjects.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags