plate no. 1495

Martha Hirsch

Oskar Kokoschka, 1909

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomanfacehairclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression with limited color palettes and visible brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of tonal values to create form and depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hand placement.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of muted green and brown tones, creating a subtle gradient.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with a base layer of yellow ochre and white, paying attention to the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Develop the features of the face, using small brushstrokes to define the eyes, nose, and mouth. Mix red and brown for the lips and cheeks.
step 05
Paint the hair with dark browns and blacks, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and volume.
step 06
Add the clothing with a mix of yellow ochre, white, and a touch of brown, following the contours of the figure.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands, using small brushstrokes to capture the shapes and shadows.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of red or brown to create variations in color. Use burnt umber and viridian green to create the darker tones in the background and shadows.

techniques

·Dry brush texture
·Layering
·Limited palette
·Visible brushstrokes
·Tonal blending

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Using too much color and creating a palette that is too bright or saturated.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure and creating a distorted image.
→Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red, viridian green)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags