plate no. 8324
Two girls
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture, color mixing with a limited palette, and creating soft, diffused light effects. Students will also learn to simplify forms and focus on capturing the essence of the subjects.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the two figures and the window.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin layer of dark paint, leaving the window area blank.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin tones, hair, and clothing, focusing on the overall values.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Add the details of the hair and clothing, such as the braids and the pattern on the dress.
- step 06
Soften the edges and blend the colors to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 07
Add highlights to the faces and hair to create dimension.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix white with small amounts of yellow ochre and red for skin tones. Use black and white to create shades of gray for the background. Mix ultramarine blue and white for the dress pattern.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
- ·glazing
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of atmosphere.
- →Using too much color and creating a harsh or unnatural effect.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions and features of the figures.
- →Not blending the colors sufficiently, resulting in a choppy or uneven surface.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a smooth canvas for easier blending. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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