plate no. 8189

Friedrich Nietzsche

Edvard Munch, 1906

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurelandscapeskymountainsbuilding

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive brushstrokes and learn how to create a sense of depth using color and value. It will also develop skills in portraiture and capturing a likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the background.
step 03
Develop the landscape, using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 04
Begin to define the figure, paying attention to the proportions and the overall shape.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Refine the clothing and the hands, using darker values to create contrast.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · sap green · titanium white

Mix yellow ochre and white for the sky, ultramarine blue and burnt umber for the mountains, and various combinations of the primary colors for the figure and the landscape.

techniques