plate no. 0645

Portrait of Maxim Gorky

Jury Annenkov, 1920

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurebookbuildingscityscape

some experience helpful

This painting is a great exercise in capturing likeness using strong value contrasts and expressive linework. Students will develop skills in portraiture, composition, and creating dynamic textures with ink or paint.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic shapes and proportions of the portrait and other elements.
step 02
Define the main areas of light and shadow with broad strokes of black ink or paint.
step 03
Add details to the face, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject through careful observation of features.
step 04
Develop the background elements, such as the buildings and the red square, using a combination of line and shading.
step 05
Refine the details and textures throughout the painting, using a variety of brushstrokes or pen techniques.
step 06
Pay attention to the negative space to create a balanced composition.
step 07
Add the text on the red square.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and impactful image.

color palette

primary · black · white · red

secondary ·

The painting primarily uses black and white for value contrasts. The red is a flat, saturated color.

techniques

·cross-hatching
·dry brushing
·contour drawing
·value shading

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the linework.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat or muddy image.
→Inaccurate proportions in the portrait, leading to a distorted likeness.
→Ignoring the negative space and creating an unbalanced composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Canvas or heavy paper
·Black ink or acrylic paint
·Red acrylic paint
·Assorted brushes or pens
·Pencil
·Eraser
·Palette

optional

·palette knife
·ruler
·drawing board

Use a good quality paper or canvas that can withstand the application of ink or paint. Experiment with different brushes or pens to achieve a variety of textures and effects.

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