plate no. 1759

Bessie Bruce

Oskar Kokoschka, 1910

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureclothingfacebow tie

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying emotion through subtle details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted tone, leaving space for the figure.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using thin washes of color.
step 04
Mix and apply the base skin tone, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Develop the clothing with layers of color, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details, such as the bow tie and hands.
step 08
Let the painting dry and add a final layer of varnish for protection.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and yellow ochre to create greens for the clothing. Add small amounts of cadmium red for the cheeks and lips.

techniques