plate no. 1411

Adolf Loos

Oskar Kokoschka, 1909

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghandsface

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing a likeness with loose, painterly strokes. It also provides practice in creating depth and form with value and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, layering different mixtures of browns, yellows, reds, and whites.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Paint the clothing, using bold brushstrokes to create texture and form.
step 06
Refine the hands, capturing their intricate details and gestures.
step 07
Add the background, using loose, expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and titanium white, adding small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ultramarine blue for cool shadows. Use raw umber and ultramarine blue for the dark background.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color layering
·value blocking
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Not mixing enough paint and running out mid-stroke.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife