plate no. 6849
Two Girls Singing
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones, capturing the subtle folds and highlights in fabric, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, paying attention to the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using a limited palette and subtle blending techniques.
- step 04
Develop the details of the dresses, capturing the highlights and shadows to create a sense of volume.
- step 05
Paint the background tapestry, simplifying the details and using soft edges to create depth.
- step 06
Add the sheet music, carefully rendering the notes and text.
- step 07
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · alizarin crimson
secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow light
Achieve the skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and alizarin crimson. Use viridian and ultramarine blue to create the greens in the tapestry. Mix cadmium yellow light with white for the gold trim.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·fabric rendering
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·glazing
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle variations in color and value in the fabric.
- →Making the background too detailed, distracting from the figures.
- →Incorrect proportions of the figures
- →Getting lost in the details too early
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·#2 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Pre-tinting the canvas with a neutral tone can help with color accuracy.
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