plate no. 2971

Man reading (Father)

Walter Gramatté, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitmanreadingchairinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing form with loose brushstrokes and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also encourages simplification of details and focusing on the overall impression.

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 proportions of the figure and the surrounding furniture.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting with a dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main color areas: the skin tones, the clothing, the chair, and the background.
step 04
Start building up layers of color, focusing on capturing the light and shadow.
step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of the shapes, softening some and sharpening others.
step 07
Add the details of the face and the letter, but keep them simple and expressive.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ivory black · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · viridian

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining the primary colors. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Add small amounts of red or green to create warmer or cooler tones.

techniques