plate no. 3621
Portrait of Rainer Maria Rilke
Paula Modersohn-Becker, 1906
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint and using visible brushstrokes to build form and texture. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and capturing a likeness.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
- step 02
Apply a thin wash of burnt umber to establish the overall value structure.
- step 03
Begin layering in the background with broad, visible brushstrokes of green and brown.
- step 04
Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow, and a touch of brown, and apply in short, directional strokes.
- step 05
Define the facial features, paying attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add details to the beard and hair, using darker shades of brown and black.
- step 07
Paint the collar and clothing, using a limited palette of white, blue, and black.
- step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
secondary · viridian green · ivory black · ultramarine blue
Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, red, yellow, and a touch of brown. Green is mixed from blue and yellow, with umber added for duller shades.
techniques
- ·impasto
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Neglecting the importance of directional brushstrokes in building form.
- →Using too much black, which can make the painting look muddy.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·mineral spirits
- ·rags
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grit canvas to enhance the texture of the brushstrokes. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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