plate no. 4502

Portrait of Emy

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefaceclothingpersonabstract

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color theory and how to use bold brushstrokes to define shapes and forms. It also provides practice in simplifying complex subjects into abstract representations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the geometric forms.
step 02
Block in the background with a base layer of orange, varying the tones slightly.
step 03
Start filling in the facial features with the primary colors (red, yellow, green, blue), keeping the brushstrokes visible.
step 04
Define the clothing with dark greens and browns, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add the details like the hair and the necklace, using smaller brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the edges and shapes, adjusting the colors as needed.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · orange · yellow · green · red

secondary · blue · brown · white · black

Mix various shades of orange by combining yellow and red with white. Darker greens can be achieved by mixing green with brown or black. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques