plate no. 3160

Hanns Schwarzensky

Jan Cox, 1959

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguredeskobjectstableblue background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and texture. It also encourages simplification of complex subjects into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and composition, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of blue.
step 03
Establish the main dark areas of the figure's coat and the objects on the table.
step 04
Begin adding lighter values to define the form of the face and hands, using short, expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply the various colors in the objects on the table, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 07
Add final touches and details to the objects and background.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · titanium white · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix various shades of blue for the background by adding white or black to ultramarine blue. Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, white, and a touch of red. Create the darks by mixing black and burnt umber.

techniques

·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·layering
·impasto
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Creating muddy colors by over-mixing.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
→Not establishing a strong value structure.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 18x24
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, titanium white, burnt sienna, ivory black, yellow ochre, cadmium red, viridian green)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags