plate no. 1258

Portrait of Lotte Franzos

Oskar Kokoschka, 1909

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurewomandressshadowface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the background with diluted washes of yellow and brown, leaving some areas unpainted for a sense of airiness.
step 03
Establish the main shadow areas with a mix of dark blue and brown, paying attention to the soft edges.
step 04
Begin layering the skin tones using a mix of white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red.
step 05
Define the features of the face with small, deliberate brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the expression.
step 06
Paint the dress using a combination of white, yellow, and brown, adding subtle details with darker tones.
step 07
Add the dark accents of the bow and the lines on the dress.
step 08
Refine the edges and details, paying attention to the overall harmony of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · cadmium red light

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red. Shadows are created by adding ultramarine blue and raw umber to these mixtures. The background is a diluted mix of yellow ochre and raw umber.

techniques

·dry brush texture
·wet-on-wet blending
·scumbling
·color layering
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the painting.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Failing to capture the subtle value changes in the skin tones.
→Making the shadows too harsh and defined.