plate no. 9109

Pharisees

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, 1912

oil, canvasExpressionismreligious paintingfiguresfacesreligiousexpressionismabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color blocking and how to use bold brushstrokes to create form and emotion. It will also improve their ability to simplify complex subjects into geometric shapes.

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 composition of the figures and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall color scheme.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, defining the shapes and adding details.
step 04
Use bold brushstrokes to create texture and movement within each color area.
step 05
Mix and apply darker values to create shadows and define the forms further.
step 06
Add highlights with lighter values to create contrast and visual interest.
step 07
Refine the edges of the shapes and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add final details and touches to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · cadmium yellow · burnt umber

secondary · sap green · orange · black

Mix greens by combining yellow and blue. Create browns and darker shades by mixing red, yellow, and blue with umber or black. Vary the intensity of colors by mixing with white or complementary colors.

techniques

·color blocking
·impasto
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·geometric abstraction

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, which can flatten the image.
→Losing the sense of structure and form by not paying attention to the underlying shapes.
→Using too many colors, which can create a muddy effect.
→Not varying the brushstrokes enough, resulting in a monotonous texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, cadmium red, cadmium yellow, burnt umber, sap green, orange, black, titanium white)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags

optional

·painting medium (e.g., Liquin)
·easel
·apron

Use good quality oil paints for best results. Pre-primed canvas is recommended. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and drying time of the oil paints.

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