plate no. 7951

Double Portrait (green background)

Richard Gerstl, 1908

oilExpressionismportraitfiguresportraitsclothinghatbackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and mood. It also encourages simplification of facial features and capturing likeness through color and gesture rather than precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of green and yellow.
step 03
Establish the main color masses for the clothing and skin tones.
step 04
Add darker values to define shadows and create depth.
step 05
Introduce highlights and lighter values to suggest form.
step 06
Refine the facial features with expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the clothing and hat, focusing on texture.
step 08
Adjust colors and values to create a cohesive and expressive image.

color palette

primary · yellow green · purple · red · white

secondary · blue · brown · black

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue, and vary the tone by adding white or brown. Create purples by mixing red and blue, and adjust the hue by adding more of one color than the other. Achieve skin tones by mixing red, yellow, and white, and adjust the warmth by adding a touch of blue or green.

techniques