plate no. 1168

Bauer

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1912

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanfacebeardexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use bold brushstrokes and non-local color to create expressive portraits. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and facial features using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of turquoise paint, using visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Begin applying the base colors to the face, using broad strokes and focusing on areas of light and shadow. Don't blend too much.
step 04
Add the darker tones to define the contours of the face, hair, and beard, using colors like dark blue and purple.
step 05
Introduce warmer colors like red and orange to create highlights and add vibrancy to the skin tones.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the expressive qualities of the face.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to the hair and beard, using lighter shades of blue and green.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · turquoise · yellow · red · blue

secondary · green · purple · orange

Achieve the skin tones by mixing yellow, red, and green. Use blue and purple to create shadows and depth. Mix turquoise with white for the background.

techniques