plate no. 2046

The Young Mother

Philip Guston, 1944

oilSocial Realismgenre paintingfiguremotherchildbuildingsportraitdomestic scene

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering skin tones and capturing likenesses, as well as understanding how to create depth and form through subtle value changes and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main figures and background elements, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the main color areas using thin washes, focusing on establishing the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones using layers of subtle color variations, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing and background elements, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subjects.
step 06
Add details like the beads and the cat toy.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance as needed.
step 08
Apply a final layer of varnish for protection and to enhance the colors.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · viridian · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and white for the cooler grays in the background and clothing. Add small amounts of blue or green to darken shadows.

techniques