plate no. 3879

Young Family

Werner Berg, 1931

oilExpressionismgenre paintingfiguresfamilyportraitindoorsbird

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. It also provides practice in capturing expressions and gestures with minimal detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and the bird.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark green, paying attention to the window shape.
step 03
Establish the skin tones with a base of orange and red, adjusting for highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing with simplified shapes and colors, using blues, browns, and reds.
step 05
Add details to the faces, focusing on the eyes and mouths to convey expression.
step 06
Paint the bird with simple white and gray tones, suggesting form with light and shadow.
step 07
Refine the edges and shapes of the figures and objects.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · orange · green · brown

secondary · blue · white · gray

Mix orange and red for skin tones, varying the proportions for highlights and shadows. Use a mix of green and brown for the background, and add blue to darken the browns.

techniques