plate no. 6366

Portrait of Julius Freund

Max Slevogt, 1925

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitmansuitchairfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and clothing folds. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using subtle value changes and visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and wrinkles.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and depth.
step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure.
step 07
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
step 08
Allow to dry and varnish.

color palette

primary · gray · ochre · white · brown

secondary · red · blue · black

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of blue or brown. Skin tones can be achieved by mixing ochre, white, red, and a touch of green or blue.

techniques