plate no. 8975

Three Brothers (The Painter's Children)

Nicolae Tonitza, 1920

oilPost-Impressionismportraitchildrenportraitfiguresindoorclothingflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing soft lighting effects using visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes and creating a harmonious color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the three figures.
step 02
Block in the background colors, focusing on the overall color harmony.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones for each child, paying attention to subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Begin adding details to the faces, such as eyes, noses, and mouths, using small, deliberate brushstrokes.
step 05
Paint the clothing, capturing the folds and textures with visible brushwork.
step 06
Add the floral background details, simplifying the shapes and colors.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

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

secondary · cerulean blue · sap green · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of burnt umber. Use cerulean blue and white for cooler tones. Mix alizarin crimson and white for the lips and cheeks.

techniques