plate no. 2246

The Wiley Family

oilRococoportraitfigureslandscapetreesclothingarchitecturesky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, including rendering clothing and facial features, as well as creating depth in a landscape using atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the main color areas for the background, including the sky, trees, and distant landscape.
step 03
Establish the base tones for the figures' clothing and skin, paying attention to the light source.
step 04
Begin refining the details of the faces, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, including folds, textures, and embellishments.
step 06
Develop the landscape further, adding details to the trees, foliage, and architectural elements.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the clothing and landscape. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix blue and white for the sky and distant landscape.

techniques