plate no. 2274

Portrait of a gentleman (green background)

Richard Gerstl, 1908

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremantreeclothingbackground

some experience helpful

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

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 of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background.
step 03
Establish the main values of the figure's clothing and skin tones.
step 04
Begin refining the shapes and adding details with expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create depth and form.
step 06
Pay attention to the highlights and shadows to define the figure's features.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the bow tie and any small accents.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · green · purple · flesh tones · white

secondary · red · yellow · brown

Achieve the greens by mixing yellow and blue, and the purples by mixing red and blue. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Flesh tones can be achieved by mixing red, yellow, and white.

techniques