Saviour's face: Martyr by Alexej von Jawlensky

plate no. 5336

Saviour's face: Martyr

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfaceabstractfigureexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and using color to express emotion. It also provides practice in layering paint and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

3

brushwork visibility

4

value contrast

3

compositional simplicity

4

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outline of the face and key features (eyes, nose, mouth).
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and the main skin tone.
step 03
Add the darker lines and shapes that define the facial features, such as the nose, eyes, and hair.
step 04
Introduce secondary colors and highlights to add depth and dimension.
step 05
Refine the shapes and colors, paying attention to the artist's expressive brushstrokes.
step 06
Add final details and adjust colors as needed to match the original painting.
step 07
Let it dry, and add a varnish layer.

color palette

primary · titanium white · cerulean blue · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

secondary · viridian green · dioxazine purple · ivory black

Mix white with cerulean blue for the skin tone. Use alizarin crimson and a touch of black for the dark red lines. Mix yellow and blue for the greens.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·layering
·simplification of form

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and losing the overall abstract impression.
→Not mixing enough paint and running out mid-stroke.
→Using too much medium, which can make the colors muddy.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·Acrylic or oil paints
·Round brushes (various sizes)
·Flat brushes (various sizes)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits or water (depending on paint type)
·Linseed oil (if using oil paints)

optional

·easel
·painting medium
·varnish

Use good quality paints for better color saturation. Consider using a slightly textured canvas to enhance the brushstroke effect.

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