plate no. 1236

Self-Portrait with a Saxophone

Max Beckmann, 1930

oil, canvasExpressionismself-portraitfigureportraitsaxophoneclothinggreeneryinterior

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to convey texture and light. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create a cohesive and impactful image.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, saxophone, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main areas of color with thin washes, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, using thicker brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, using contrasting colors and bold brushstrokes to create the quilted pattern.
step 06
Refine the shapes and details of the saxophone, capturing its metallic sheen and intricate design.
step 07
Add the background elements, using simplified shapes and colors to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors, ensuring that the painting has a strong focal point and a sense of unity.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium green

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix various shades of green by combining cadmium green with yellow ochre and raw umber. Achieve skin tones by blending titanium white, alizarin crimson, and yellow ochre, with small amounts of raw umber for shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·impasto
·scumbling
·color mixing
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them, leading to a disjointed and unnatural appearance.
→Ignoring the proportions and anatomy of the figure, resulting in an inaccurate and unconvincing representation.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium green, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags