plate no. 7245
Smaragda Berg
Richard Gerstl, 1907
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing to achieve subtle tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow in an interior setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, chair, and doorway.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up the tones and values in the figure's face and clothing.
- step 04
Add details to the chair and doorway, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Develop the background with short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber
secondary · viridian · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve the subtle skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red and blue. Use thin washes of color to build up the values gradually. Mix greens and browns for the background and floor.
techniques
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·color mixing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Losing the overall composition by focusing too much on details.
- →Ignoring the importance of light and shadow.
- →Not creating enough texture with brushstrokes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·viridian oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·assorted brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing.
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