plate no. 2824

Lee and his sister Hoetger

Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1907

gouache, paperExpressionismportraitfiguresportraittablefruitstill life

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying forms and using expressive brushstrokes to create texture and volume. It also encourages exploration of color mixing to achieve muted and earthy tones.

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 and placement of figures and objects.
step 02
Block in the background with a mix of greens and yellows, using loose, visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the skin tones with a base of burnt sienna and white, adjusting the mix for highlights and shadows.
step 04
Paint the clothing with simplified shapes and colors, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add the details of the fruit and the table, using a limited palette of browns, yellows, and blues.
step 06
Define the facial features with simple lines and shapes, capturing the essence of the subjects.
step 07
Refine the brushstrokes and color variations to create depth and texture.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · titanium white · sap green

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium yellow · raw umber · rose madder

Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, white, and a touch of yellow ochre. Mute the greens by adding a touch of raw umber or burnt sienna. Create the blues for the plate by mixing ultramarine blue and white.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·simplified forms
·color mixing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated, failing to capture the muted tones of the original.
→Struggling with proportions and placement of the figures.
→Not simplifying the forms enough, resulting in a cluttered composition.