plate no. 8977

The Family of the Painter Adalbert Trillhaase

Otto Dix, 1923

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguresfamilyinteriorsrosesarchitecture

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression. It also provides practice in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
step 02
Block in the main colors of the background, including the wallpaper and architectural elements.
step 03
Establish the skin tones of the figures, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 04
Paint the clothing and furniture, using short, expressive brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, to capture the likeness of each individual.
step 06
Paint the roses and vase, using a limited palette of pinks and greens.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ochre · brown · blue · green

secondary · red · pink · gold · grey

Mix various shades of brown and ochre for the skin tones and clothing. Use blue and green to create the background and hair. Mix white with the primary colors to create lighter tints.

techniques