plate no. 0835

The Sisters

Edmund Charles Tarbell, 1921

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitfiguresportraitclothinghatinteriorsisters

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing likeness and skin tones, as well as understanding how to use loose brushwork to create form and texture.

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 proportions of the figures and the background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with thin washes of color, focusing on the light and shadow patterns.
step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones, mixing colors carefully to match the subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Paint the clothing, using looser brushstrokes to suggest the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to their placement and proportions.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle details and textures to create depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to the composition, color, or value.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Vary the proportions to create different shades and hues. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create a range of grays and browns.

techniques

·portraiture
·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the freshness of the brushwork.
→Failing to capture the subtle variations in skin tone.
→Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
→Ignoring the overall value structure and creating a flat, lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·palette knife