plate no. 6467

The Eltz Family

oilBiedermeierportraitfamilyportraitlandscapemountainsfiguresclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as practicing complex compositional arrangements with multiple figures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and landscape.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the mountains, trees, and sky.
step 03
Begin painting the figures, starting with the largest shapes and gradually adding details.
step 04
Pay close attention to the light and shadow on the figures to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the clothing, carefully rendering the folds and textures.
step 06
Refine the facial features and expressions of the figures.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the accessories and the foliage in the foreground.
step 08
Glaze and varnish the painting to protect it and enhance the colors.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, cadmium red, and yellow ochre, adjusting the proportions to create variations in warmth and coolness. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create muted grays and browns for the landscape.

techniques