plate no. 7656
Auto retrato en azul (self portrait in blue)
Ramon Oviedo, 1999
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness through color and value rather than precise detail. Students will develop skills in color mixing to create subtle variations within a limited palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face, including the glasses.
- step 02
Establish the background color with a mid-tone blue.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using darker and lighter blues.
- step 04
Refine the shapes and values on the face, paying attention to the planes and contours.
- step 05
Add the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushstrokes.
- step 06
Paint the glasses, focusing on the reflections and transparency.
- step 07
Introduce subtle color variations, such as hints of red and purple, to add depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · cerulean blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of blue by combining ultramarine and cerulean with white. Use small amounts of burnt sienna and red to create warmer tones for the skin and glasses.
techniques
- ·color mixing
- ·blocking in
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Using too much white and making the colors look chalky.
- →Ignoring the underlying structure of the face.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle color variations.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·cerulean blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·round brushes (various sizes)
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-textured canvas to allow for expressive brushstrokes. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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