plate no. 0534

Angst

Alfred Kubin, 1903

oilSymbolismsymbolic paintingfigureghostcliffskyrocksdarkness

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in tonal shading and creating atmospheric perspective using a limited palette. It also encourages exploration of symbolic representation.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the cliff edge, the figure, and the ghost.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the cliff face and the shadows around the figure and ghost.
step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones, blending the charcoal or graphite to create smooth transitions.
step 04
Add details to the figure, focusing on the anatomy and the strain in the pose.
step 05
Define the features of the ghost, emphasizing the expression of anguish.
step 06
Refine the edges of the rocks and the cliff face to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Add the subtle highlights to the figure and ghost to enhance the contrast.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall tonal balance to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · sepia · ivory black

secondary · raw umber · payne's grey

Achieve the various shades by mixing sepia and ivory black in different proportions. Use raw umber and payne's grey for subtle variations in the darker areas.

techniques