plate no. 3282

Two Girls

oilRealismportraitfigureschildrenportraitapplestableinterior

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and creating a sense of depth through layering and glazing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors using thin washes of paint.
step 03
Develop the background, focusing on creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 04
Begin to refine the figures, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns on their faces and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the faces, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture their likeness.
step 06
Work on the clothing, rendering the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the apples, the table, and the pitcher.
step 08
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to unify the composition and create a sense of depth.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to create cool shadows and to neutralize warm colors. Add small amounts of cadmium red to create warm skin tones.

techniques