plate no. 1226

Ludwing Ritter von Janikowsky

Oskar Kokoschka, 1909

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmanfacefigureexpressionism

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and layering colors to create depth and texture. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with exaggerated features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and placement of the head and features.
step 02
Block in the background with dark blues, greens, and browns, using loose, visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Apply a base layer of orange and yellow to the face, focusing on the overall shape and form.
step 04
Begin layering darker tones of brown, red, and purple to define shadows and wrinkles.
step 05
Add highlights with lighter shades of yellow and orange, emphasizing the planes of the face.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Add final touches to the background, blending some areas and leaving others with visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Consider adding the 'UK' text in the upper right corner.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · raw umber · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red and blue. Darken shadows with raw umber and ultramarine blue. Use white sparingly to create highlights.

techniques

·impasto
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color layering
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the overall form and structure of the face.
→Being too precise with details, sacrificing the expressive quality.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, creating a flat texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, raw umber, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags