plate no. 5161

Self-Portrait with Palette (Nude in a full figure)

Richard Gerstl, 1908

oil, canvasExpressionismnude painting (nu)figurenudeportraitdraperydark background

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing form with loose, gestural strokes. It also encourages observation of subtle value changes and understanding of light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, background, drapery, and furniture.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, focusing on capturing the overall value structure.
step 04
Use expressive brushstrokes to define the form and create texture.
step 05
Mix subtle variations of skin tones using a limited palette.
step 06
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow to create depth.
step 07
Refine the details of the face and hands.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red and blue. Use blue and umber to create the dark background. Add white to the blues and umbers for the drapery.

techniques