plate no. 7800

Waldemar Unger I

Richard Gerstl, 1903

oilPost-Impressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, layering different shades of pink, yellow, and brown.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle variations in color and value on the face.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and background, using darker colors to create contrast.
step 07
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones by combining white, red, yellow, and a touch of blue or brown. Use raw umber and ivory black to create the dark background and clothing.

techniques