plate no. 2330
Three sisters
Balthus, 1964
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in depicting figures in a muted color palette and understanding how to create a sense of depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and furniture.
- step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background and largest shapes.
- step 03
Develop the values within each color area, paying attention to the subtle shifts in light and shadow.
- step 04
Add details to the figures, such as facial features and clothing folds, using small brushstrokes.
- step 05
Refine the textures of the couch and wall with dry brushing and scumbling techniques.
- step 06
Glaze thin layers of color to unify the painting and create depth.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · grey · pink · ochre · brown
secondary · blue · orange
Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white or grey to dull the intensity. Use thin glazes to build up color depth.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
- ·figure drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (grey, pink, ochre, brown, blue, orange, white)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-grain canvas for a slightly textured surface. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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