plate no. 9872

The Children of James Todd

William Logsdail, 1920

oilRealismportraitfiguresinteriorchildrenwindowgardenfurniture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding complex compositions with multiple figures and interior spaces.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of the figures and main elements.
step 02
Block in the large shapes and areas of color, focusing on the overall values.
step 03
Develop the background elements, such as the window, garden, and wall details.
step 04
Refine the figures, paying attention to proportions, anatomy, and facial features.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, furniture, and other objects.
step 06
Work on the skin tones, using subtle variations in color and value to create a realistic effect.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · viridian

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of blue or green for shadows. Achieve the muted greens of the garden by mixing yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white.

techniques