plate no. 7214

Portrait Alexander Graf Brockdorf

Walter Gramatté, 1919

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairmanclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and using color to create mood and form, rather than realistic representation. It also encourages experimentation with non-traditional color palettes for portraits.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair, focusing on the overall composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: red for the chair, black for the suit, and initial skin tones.
step 03
Begin building up layers of color, using visible brushstrokes to define the forms.
step 04
Focus on the face, adding details like the eyes, mouth, and nose with expressive brushwork.
step 05
Use contrasting colors to create highlights and shadows on the face and hands.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing and chair, paying attention to the texture and form.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Step back and adjust the painting as needed to achieve the desired expression.

color palette

primary · black · red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · purple · green

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, red, and a touch of blue. Achieve the dark tones by mixing black with small amounts of red or blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, which will lose the expressive brushwork.
→Getting bogged down in details too early, before establishing the overall composition and color scheme.
→Using too much black, which can make the painting look muddy.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.