plate no. 4664

The Clemente Family

Eric Fischl, 2005

oilContemporary Realismportraitfiguresportraitfamilyinteriorclothingshadows

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness with loose brushstrokes, and understanding how light and shadow define form. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and depicting different textures of clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes of the figures, paying attention to proportions and anatomical landmarks.
step 04
Mix and apply skin tones, using a variety of warm and cool colors to create depth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, capturing the folds and textures with expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Define the shadows and highlights to create a sense of volume and form.
step 07
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness of each individual.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by combining raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create cool shadows.

techniques