plate no. 9644

Two girls on a balcony

oil, canvasRealismgenre paintingfiguresbalconyarchitectureclothingplantsinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing realistic skin tones, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow in an outdoor setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, including the wall, balcony, and architectural elements.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and clothing colors of the two girls, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 04
Refine the details of the faces, hair, and clothing, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 05
Paint the plants and pots on the balcony, focusing on their shapes and colors.
step 06
Add the details of the chair and the hanging cloth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to adjust the warmth and coolness of the skin tones and shadows.

techniques