plate no. 3821

Portrait of Carl Moll

Oskar Kokoschka, 1913

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanchairbeardclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing a likeness with limited color palette. It also encourages exploration of value relationships to define form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the dark background and shadows with a thin wash of dark color.
step 03
Begin to define the major planes of the face and hands using broad, visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix and apply the local colors of the clothing, chair, and background, focusing on value relationships.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Continue to build up layers of paint, allowing the brushstrokes to remain visible.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, and white. Use small amounts of red and blue to create subtle color variations in the skin tones and clothing.

techniques

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

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the value relationships, leading to a flat and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes
·linseed oil
·odorless mineral spirits
·rags

optional

·painting medium
·varnish
·easel

Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for better paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time of the oil paints.

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