plate no. 4039

Two Sisters (On the Terrace)

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguresclothingflowersgardenterrace

experienced study

Students will develop skills in portraiture, flesh tone mixing, and creating atmospheric backgrounds with loose brushwork. This painting teaches the balance between detailed foreground figures and impressionistic background treatment.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Start with a light pencil sketch establishing the two figures and basic composition
step 02
Block in the major color areas with thin paint, establishing the dark coat and light dress
step 03
Paint the background garden scene with loose, broken brushstrokes using warm and cool greens
step 04
Develop the flesh tones of both faces, paying attention to subtle color variations
step 05
Add the vibrant orange-red hat with confident brushstrokes
step 06
Paint the clothing details, especially the texture of the dark coat and white dress
step 07
Add the flowers and decorative elements with small, precise touches
step 08
Refine facial features and expressions with careful attention to eyes and lips

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · burnt sienna · raw umber · cadmium orange

Mix flesh tones with white, yellow ochre, and tiny amounts of red and burnt sienna. Create rich darks by mixing ultramarine with burnt sienna rather than using pure black.

techniques