plate no. 3170

Harry Graf Kessler

Edvard Munch, 1904

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurebookshelfmanclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness with simplified forms and expressive brushstrokes, as well as understanding color temperature and how it affects the overall mood.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and the bookshelf.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on overall values.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to proportions and expression.
step 04
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and tie.
step 05
Develop the background bookshelf with varied colors and textures.
step 06
Use expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and energy.
step 07
Adjust colors and values as needed to achieve a cohesive composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Titanium White · Cadmium Red

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Umber · Viridian

Mix various shades of blue and white for the suit. Use red and yellow ochre for the skin tones, and mix with white to create highlights. Use burnt umber and viridian for the darker areas of the background.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken Color
·Scumbling
·Color Temperature
·Expressive Brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Titanium White, Cadmium Red, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Umber, Viridian)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags