plate no. 2951

Self-Portrait in Blue Jacket

Max Beckmann, 1950

oilExpressionismself-portraitfigureportraitmanjacketcigarettechair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and using expressive brushstrokes to convey emotion. It also provides practice in color mixing and understanding how to use contrasting colors to create visual interest.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the large shapes of the jacket, background, and skin tones.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Add the details of the clothing, such as the collar, tie, and lapels.
step 05
Develop the background, using loose brushstrokes to create depth and texture.
step 06
Add the cigarette and hand, paying attention to the foreshortening and proportions.
step 07
Refine the edges and details, using darker and lighter values to create contrast and definition.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · cadmium orange

secondary · viridian green · ivory black

Mix skin tones using burnt umber, white, and a touch of orange. Create the blue jacket by mixing ultramarine blue with a touch of black for shadows and white for highlights. The background is a mix of burnt umber and black.

techniques

·Blocking in
·Impasto
·Color mixing
·Expressive brushstrokes
·Scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.
→Not paying attention to the subtle variations in color within each area.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium orange, viridian green, ivory black, titanium white)
·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil