plate no. 9744
Albert Kollmann
Edvard Munch, 1902
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait painting, including capturing likeness and creating depth through subtle color variations and brushwork. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and rendering clothing folds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure and the main shapes of the clothing.
- step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes, focusing on the overall tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with a base skin tone mixture.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, using darker tones for shadows and lighter tones for highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the hair and facial hair, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light
secondary · viridian · ivory black · yellow ochre
Skin tones can be achieved by mixing white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. The background is a mix of viridian, white, and umber. Dark clothing is achieved with black, umber, and a touch of red.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.
- →Applying paint too thickly or thinly.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas for a slightly textured surface. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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