plate no. 2150

The Hunchback

Alexej von Jawlensky, 1905

oilFauvismportraitportraitfiguremanfaceclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, expressive brushwork, and understanding how to use color to define form. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic shapes and planes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: blue for the background and shirt, yellow/orange for the face, and red/brown for the hair.
step 03
Start adding layers of color to the face, using short, visible brushstrokes to build up the form.
step 04
Mix and apply the various shades of blue and green to the background, using horizontal brushstrokes.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Add the darker tones to the shirt, using vertical brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to the hair and face.
step 08
Evaluate and adjust the overall color balance and composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Cadmium Red

secondary · Viridian Green · Titanium White · Burnt Umber

Mix greens by combining blue and yellow. Create skin tones by mixing yellow, red, and white, adjusting proportions for highlights and shadows. Darken blues with burnt umber.

techniques

·Impasto
·Broken color
·Color layering
·Expressive brushstrokes
·Simplification of form

common pitfalls

→Over-blending colors, losing the vibrancy of individual strokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not using enough paint, resulting in a thin, washy look.
→Incorrectly judging the values and color temperatures.

materials

surface · Stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (12x12 or similar)
·Oil paints (Prussian Blue, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red, Titanium White, Burnt Umber)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags