plate no. 1563

Auto-retrato III

Lasar Segall, 1927

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigurehandpencilfacepaper

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 depicting hands and creating a sense of depth through value contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the face, hands, and paper.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting, focusing on the background and shadows on the face.
step 03
Begin layering in mid-tones on the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 04
Introduce the lighter areas of the face and hands, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Add details to the hands and pencil, focusing on accurate proportions and rendering.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
step 08
Add final highlights to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Skin tones are achieved by mixing raw umber, yellow ochre, and titanium white. Burnt sienna is used for warmer areas, while ivory black is added to create shadows.

techniques