Beim Malen (wohl Marianne von Werefkin) by Gabriele Munter

plate no. 2608

Beim Malen (wohl Marianne von Werefkin)

Gabriele Munter, 1911

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitartistpalettechairwindow

suitable for beginners

This painting is great for learning about simplified shapes and bold color blocking. Students can practice capturing a likeness with minimal detail and expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

2

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes: the figure, chair, window, and palette.
step 02
Block in the background with a flat layer of yellow.
step 03
Paint the figure's dress with a solid red, following the contours of the sketch.
step 04
Add the teal color to the chair cushion and the blue to the window.
step 05
Mix and apply the skin tones, focusing on the face and hands.
step 06
Paint the hair with short, choppy strokes of brown and red.
step 07
Add details to the palette with various colors.
step 08
Outline the major shapes with dark lines to define the forms.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · teal

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create teal by mixing blue and yellow.

techniques

·color blocking
·expressive brushstrokes
·simplified shapes
·outlining

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the simplified style.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Not capturing the proportions of the figure correctly.
→Making the outlines too heavy or uniform.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes
·flat brushes
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil (if using oils)
·rags

optional

·painting medium
·easel
·apron

Use a medium-sized canvas for easier handling. Acrylics are faster drying and easier to clean up, while oils offer more blending time.

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