plate no. 4310
Portrait of Max Liebermann
Anders Zorn, 1891
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using a limited palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and placement of the figure on the canvas.
- step 02
Establish the darkest darks and lightest lights to define the value structure.
- step 03
Block in the main shapes of the face, clothing, and background with broad strokes.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and background, maintaining a loose and painterly style.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color harmony and value relationships.
- step 08
Add final details and refine edges as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining umber, black, and white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or cadmium red to warm up the skin tones.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
- ·limited palette
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly feel.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushwork. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a base color.
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