plate no. 0366

Mother and Child

Oskar Kokoschka, 1921

oilExpressionismportraitportraitmotherchildfiguresfamilyclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood and form. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and emotion through simplified shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures onto the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of blue, varying the shades slightly.
step 03
Establish the main areas of skin tone with a base layer of yellow and orange.
step 04
Add darker values to define the shadows and contours of the faces and bodies.
step 05
Introduce red and green tones to the clothing and hair, using short, expressive strokes.
step 06
Refine the details of the faces, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights to the skin and clothing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the colors and values.

color palette

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

secondary · viridian green · burnt umber · purple

Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine with white and small amounts of green or purple. Achieve skin tones by blending yellow ochre, cadmium red, and white, adding touches of burnt umber for shadows.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·color layering
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Being too literal with the colors, instead of embracing the expressive use of color.
→Losing the overall structure of the composition in the details.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red, titanium white, viridian green, burnt umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags