plate no. 6116

Portrait of the Painter Waldmulle

George Bouzianis, 1923

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehatclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, simplifying forms, and capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes. It also teaches how to create depth and form with a limited color palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted color.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a thin wash of color.
step 04
Begin layering thicker paint to define the features, focusing on the planes of the face.
step 05
Add the hat and clothing, using broad brushstrokes to suggest form.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · Prussian blue

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber for the skin tones. Use Prussian blue and burnt umber for the dark areas. Add titanium white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber for the clothing.

techniques