plate no. 1876

Portrait of Dr. Hugo Koller

Egon Schiele, 1918

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurebookschairmanclothing

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness and expression, and understanding color relationships in complex compositions. It also provides practice in rendering textures and details with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the figure, chair, and surrounding books, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the basic color blocks for the background, chair, clothing, and skin tones.
step 03
Begin layering colors, paying attention to the subtle shifts in hue and value within each area.
step 04
Develop the details of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 05
Add details to the books, chair, and clothing, using visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a cohesive image.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish layer.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Sienna · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Cadmium Red · Emerald Green

Mix various shades of blue and green for the chair and clothing. Use burnt sienna and white with small amounts of red and yellow to create skin tones. Muted browns and grays are essential for the books.

techniques

·Impasto
·Dry brushing
·Color layering
·Portrait sketching
·Visible brushstrokes

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff or lifeless image.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations within each area.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Not establishing a clear value structure.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Titanium White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red, Emerald Green)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags