plate no. 6682

The Benzon daughters

oilImpressionismportraitfigureschildrenbeachseafoliageportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding how light affects form and color.

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 the placement and proportions of the figures and key elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background (sky, sea, and sand).
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows on the faces and hands.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the figures, including the dresses, hair, and facial features.
step 05
Add the foliage and other details in the foreground, focusing on creating depth and texture.
step 06
Refine the lighting and shadows throughout the painting, ensuring a sense of realism and atmosphere.
step 07
Add the small details like the lace on the dresses and the details of the faces.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors, values, and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and burnt umber for the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky and sea, adjusting the ratio for different shades. Mix yellow ochre and cadmium yellow for the dresses, adding white for highlights and burnt umber for shadows.

techniques