plate no. 3240

Portrait of Otto Braun

Max Liebermann, 1932

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanchairclothingseated

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with loose brushstrokes. It also offers practice in mixing subtle color variations and creating a sense of depth through value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure, focusing on accurate placement of key features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, starting with the background and then moving to the figure's clothing and skin.
step 03
Establish the basic value structure of the face, using thin washes of color to create shadows and highlights.
step 04
Begin to refine the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and chair, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the overall composition, adjusting colors and values as needed to create a sense of harmony.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to the face and hands to bring the portrait to life.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red

Mix various shades of gray and brown by combining black, umber, sienna, and white. Add small amounts of blue or red to adjust the temperature of the grays. Use yellow ochre and red to create the skin tones.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, impressionistic feel.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and likeness of the subject.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the subtle value changes that create form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red)
·Assorted brushes (round and flat, various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags