plate no. 0489

Self-Portrait with Horn

Max Beckmann, 1938

oil, canvasExpressionismself-portraitfigureself-portraithornwindowclothinghand

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and mood using expressive brushstrokes and a limited color palette. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes and understanding light and shadow.

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 outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, horn, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes.
step 03
Mix the primary skin tone and apply it to the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value.
step 04
Paint the striped shirt using bold, visible brushstrokes, alternating between the darker and lighter shades of red and brown.
step 05
Develop the background, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow around the window and the red vertical bar.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add details to the horn, capturing its metallic sheen and reflections.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition, ensuring that the focal point is clear and the overall mood is consistent.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · cadmium red · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, cadmium red, and titanium white. Achieve darker shades by adding ivory black. Use yellow ochre to create highlights and warm tones.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·chiaroscuro
·limited palette
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the figure.
→Creating muddy colors by overmixing.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, cadmium red, titanium white, ivory black, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (flat and round)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife