plate no. 6181

The Surgeon, Ferdinand Sauerbruch

Max Liebermann, 1932

oil, canvasImpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchairglasses

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students learn to mix subtle skin tones and practice loose, expressive brushwork to capture form and light. It also provides practice in simplifying complex shapes and focusing on essential details.

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 and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted grays and yellows.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using broad strokes.
step 04
Mix skin tones using a limited palette of earth tones, white, and a touch of red.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Refine the folds and highlights in the clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the details of the chair and any remaining background elements.
step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition, value contrast, and color balance.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones by combining white, raw umber, and small amounts of burnt sienna and cadmium red. Use ivory black to create the darker shades in the clothing and background. Achieve the gray background by mixing white, raw umber, and a touch of black.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Using too much paint and creating a muddy effect.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.