plate no. 9539
Arnold Schönberg
Oskar Kokoschka, 1924
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing likeness with bold color choices. It also encourages exploration of emotional expression through portraiture.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the face, paying attention to the placement of features.
- step 04
Develop the clothing and background with expressive brushstrokes, varying the direction and pressure.
- step 05
Refine the color palette by layering and blending colors to achieve the desired hues.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Pay attention to the edges of shapes, softening or sharpening them as needed.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Burnt Sienna · Titanium White
secondary · Cadmium Red · Viridian Green · Ivory Black
Mix greens by blending Prussian Blue and Cadmium Yellow. Achieve skin tones by combining Burnt Sienna, Cadmium Yellow, and Cadmium Red, and adjust with white or black. Darken colors with Ivory Black or Burnt Sienna.
techniques
- ·Impasto
- ·Broken color
- ·Scumbling
- ·Expressive brushwork
- ·Color layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not paying attention to the overall value structure.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
materials
surface · Stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas 18x24
- ·Oil paints
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
optional
- ·Painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·Varnish
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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