17th century his first biographer, Schrevelius wrote: "An unusual manner of painting, all his own, surpassing almost everyone," on Hals's painting methods. For that matter, schematic painting was not Hals's own idea (the approach already existed in 16th century Italy), and Hals was probably inspired by Flemish contemporaries, Rubens and Van Dyck, in his painting method. Haarlem resident Theodorus Schrevelius was struck by the vitality of Hals's portraits which reflected 'such power and life' that the painter 'seems to challenge nature with his brush'. Influence Frans influenced his brother Dirck Hals (born at Haarlem, 1591–1656), who was also a painter. Additionally, five of his sons became painters: Harmen Hals (1611–1669) Frans Hals the Younger (1618–1669) Jan Hals (1620–1654) Reynier Hals (1627–1672) Nicolaes Hals (1628–1686) Though most of his sons became portrait painters, some of them took up still-life painting or architectural studies and landscapes. Still-lifes formerly attributed to his son Frans II have since been re-attributed to other painters, however. Hals painted a young woman reaching into a basket in a still life market scene by Claes van Heussen. Other contemporary painters who took inspiration from Hals were, with the main cities they were based in: Jan Miense Molenaer (1609–1668), Haarlem and Amsterdam Judith Leyster (wife of Molenaer, 1609–1660), Haarlem and Amsterdam Adriaen van Ostade (1610–1685), Haarlem Adriaen Brouwer (1605–1638), mostly Antwerp Johannes Cornelisz Verspronck (1597–1662), Haarlem Bartholomeus van der Helst (1613–1670), Amsterdam Cornelis de Bie (1621–1664), Amsterdam Hals had a large workshop in Haarlem and many students, though 19th century biographers questioned some of his pupils, since their painting styles were so dissimilar to Hals. In his De Groote Schouburgh (1718–21), Arnold Houbraken mentions Philips Wouwerman, Adriaen Brouwer, Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten, Adriaen van Ostade and Dirck van Delen as students. Vincent Laurensz van der Vinne was also a student, according to his diary with notes left by his son Laurens Vincentsz van der Vinne. Roestraten was not only a student (the Haarlem archives contain a notarised document, which supports this fact), but he also became a son-in-law of Hals when he married his daughter Adriaentje. The Haarlem portrait painter, Johannes Verspronck, one of about 10 competing portraitists in Haarlem at the time, possibly studied for some time with Hals. In terms of style, the closest to Hals's work is the handful of paintings that are ascribed to Judith Leyster, which she often signed. She also 'qualifies' as a