plate no. 2793

With Mum

Samuel Mutzner, 1925

oilImpressionismportraitfiguresportraitmotherchildplantsbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness with expressive brushstrokes and understanding how to build form using color temperature and value changes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex scenes and focusing on essential details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main figures and background elements, focusing on proportions and composition.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on defining the light and shadow areas on the figures.
step 04
Use thicker paint and visible brushstrokes to add texture and detail to the clothing and background.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth to capture the likeness of the subjects.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a harmonious and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final details and touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · brown · white · black

secondary · green · blue · yellow

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and brown with small amounts of yellow or green. Create shadows by adding black or a complementary color to the base color. Mix various shades of brown and black to create the dark clothing.

techniques