plate no. 8989

Portrait of Arnold Schonberg

Richard Gerstl, 1906

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureclothingchairbackgroundcarpet

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and fabrics, and creating texture with brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying a sense of mood.

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 background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme with a thin underpainting using burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, chair, and background.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the face, hands, and clothing, refining the likeness and texture.
step 06
Work on the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere with subtle color variations.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed to achieve the desired result.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Create the dark browns of the clothing by mixing burnt umber, ivory black, and a touch of red. The background is achieved by mixing viridian, yellow ochre, and white.

techniques