plate no. 7157

Conte Verona

Oskar Kokoschka, 1910

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, expressive brushwork, and creating depth with a limited color palette. It also encourages exploration of emotional expression through distortion and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background with loose, blended strokes of warm browns and ochres.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face, hands, and clothing using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Develop the facial features, paying attention to the expressive distortions and unique characteristics.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, creating texture and form with visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and tone to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to achieve a cohesive and expressive effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall impact of the portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · raw sienna

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and ochre by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, and white. Use small amounts of red and black to create darker tones and add warmth or coolness to the browns.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·scumbling
·limited palette
·portraiture
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→overworking the details
→losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes
→inaccurate proportions
→muddy colors

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·yellow ochre oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·cadmium red oil paint
·ivory black oil paint
·linseed oil
·#4 round brush

optional

·palette knife
·painting medium
·varnish

Use a medium-textured canvas to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a slightly toned canvas to create a warmer base for the painting.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein