plate no. 0266
Three Children at the Window
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and skin tones, as well as understanding atmospheric perspective and creating a sense of depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the window.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark greens and browns.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with light flesh tones, paying attention to the overall values.
- step 04
Start layering the skin tones, using subtle variations of pink, yellow, and white to create depth and form.
- step 05
Define the features of the faces, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth, and capturing the expressions of the children.
- step 06
Paint the window frame with light blues and grays, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Add the foliage, using a variety of greens and browns to create texture and depth.
- step 08
Refine the details and add final touches, such as highlights on the skin and leaves.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · raw umber
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · viridian
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the greens by mixing ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, and raw umber.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions in the figures.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
- →Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·round brushes sizes #2, #4, #6
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve blending.
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