plate no. 9347

The Dreamer

Walter Gramatté, 1919

oilExpressionismportraitfigureportraitdogsreddarkanimals

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in limited palette color mixing and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing a mood through color and composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, dogs, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: red for the figure and background, dark blue/black for the dogs, and pale grey for the face and hands.
step 03
Start layering the red, adding darker and lighter shades to create depth and form.
step 04
Work on the dogs, using dry brush techniques to add texture and detail.
step 05
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Add the gold highlights to the edges and background.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and expressive painting.

color palette

primary · red · black · grey

secondary · gold · white

Mix various shades of red by adding black or white. Create the grey for the face by mixing white, black, and a touch of red or blue. The dark blue/black for the dogs can be achieved by mixing black with a small amount of blue.

techniques

·dry brush
·layering
·color mixing
·scumbling
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overblending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure and dogs.
→Using too much detail, which can detract from the expressive quality of the painting.
→Failing to create enough contrast between the light and dark areas.