plate no. 7894

Draped Head

Max Weber, 1926

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigureheaddraperyhandhair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use expressive brushstrokes to create a portrait. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating a sense of depth with color.

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, drapery, and hand, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a warm, blended wash of orange and yellow.
step 03
Establish the main areas of color for the face, drapery, and clothing using simplified color blocks.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add shadows and highlights to create form and volume in the face and drapery.
step 06
Develop the texture of the hair using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details of the hand, paying attention to the shape and form of the fingers.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to the overall composition.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · viridian · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, cadmium red light, and white. Achieve the green drapery by mixing viridian with yellow ochre and white. Darken colors by adding burnt umber or ultramarine blue.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush
·color mixing
·simplification of form
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, viridian, titanium white, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags