apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·Mask Still Life III
Mask Still Life III by Emil Nolde

plate no. 8442

Mask Still Life III

Emil Nolde, 1911

oilExpressionismstill lifemasksstill lifefaceshangingexpressionism
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood. It also encourages simplification of forms and bold application of paint.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Sketch the basic shapes and placement of the masks, focusing on proportions.

  2. step 02

    Block in the background with broad strokes of blues and greens, varying the tones.

  3. step 03

    Start with the darkest values on the masks, defining the eye sockets and other shadows.

  4. step 04

    Apply the primary colors (red, yellow, white) to each mask, blending slightly where needed.

  5. step 05

    Add details like teeth, eyes, and decorative elements with smaller brushes.

  6. step 06

    Use thicker paint to create texture and emphasize brushstrokes.

  7. step 07

    Add the hanging strings with thin lines of yellow and white.

  8. step 08

    Refine the edges and adjust the values to create depth and contrast.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · orange

Mix greens from blue and yellow, and use white to lighten and create variations in the background. Mix browns from red, yellow, and blue.

techniques

  • ·impasto
  • ·expressive brushwork
  • ·color mixing
  • ·wet-on-dry layering
  • ·scumbling

common pitfalls

  • →over-blending the colors
  • →losing the expressive brushstrokes
  • →making the masks too symmetrical
  • →not varying the background enough

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic or oil paints
  • ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
  • ·palette
  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil or acrylic medium
  • ·rags

optional

  • ·painting medium
  • ·varnish
  • ·easel

Use heavy body acrylics or oils to achieve the impasto effect. A medium can help with blending and drying time.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor