plate no. 7115

The Graham Children

oil, canvasRococoportraitchildrenfiguresinteriorclothingbirdcagecat

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing realistic skin tones, and rendering complex drapery and fabric textures. It also challenges students to manage a complex composition with multiple figures and objects.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 40 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background and figures using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Begin layering paint to build up the forms and values of the figures, focusing on accurate skin tones and facial features.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights of the fabric.
step 05
Add the details of the birdcage, cat, and other objects in the scene.
step 06
Refine the overall composition and adjust the values and colors as needed.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Glaze to unify the colors and add depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium yellow

secondary · alizarin crimson · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Create the blue of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue and titanium white. Mix browns and grays using burnt umber, ivory black, and titanium white.

techniques