plate no. 7505
Rugby players
Max Beckmann, 1929
experienced study
Students would develop skills in angular figure construction, managing complex multi-figure compositions, and using bold color blocking to create dramatic contrast and movement.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a detailed compositional sketch mapping out the angular geometric shapes of each figure
- step 02
Block in the major color areas with flat, bold strokes - whites, blues, flesh tones
- step 03
Define the strong value contrasts between light and dark areas
- step 04
Work on individual figures using angular, geometric construction methods
- step 05
Add facial features and anatomical details with confident, simplified strokes
- step 06
Paint the ship structure and rigging with clean linear elements
- step 07
Develop the sky with subtle gradations while maintaining the overall bold aesthetic
- step 08
Refine edges and add final details while preserving the painting's graphic quality
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · raw umber
secondary · cadmium yellow light · alizarin crimson · payne's gray · yellow ochre
Mix flesh tones from white, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna. Create grays by mixing blue and burnt umber rather than using black.
techniques
- ·angular figure construction
- ·flat color blocking
- ·geometric simplification
- ·bold outlining
- ·value massing
common pitfalls
- →overworking facial features
- →making figures too realistic rather than stylized
- →losing the bold graphic quality
- →creating muddy colors through overmixing
materials
surface · primed canvas or canvas board
required
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·#2 flat brush
- ·#4 round brush
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·canvas 16x20 or larger
optional
- ·palette knife for mixing
- ·painting medium
- ·#1 liner brush for details
- ·odorless mineral spirits
This expressionist style works well with slightly absorbent surfaces that allow for bold, confident brushwork.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Dolly Sisters
Kees van Dongen
Nude with Loaves
Jean Helion
My Father
Carlos Botelho
Helen
Chronis Botsoglou
The portrait painter in the country
Albin Egger-Lienz
Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague
Maria Bozoky
Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city
Paul Werner
Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)
James Ensor