plate no. 8584
Autoportrait
Léo Gausson, 1889
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and using subtle color variations to model form. It also provides practice in handling visible brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, hat, and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber or similar earth tone.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the skin tones, hat, and background.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow patterns.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing and hat, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the subject.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Mix skin tones by blending white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use blue and black sparingly to create shadows. Muted browns are achieved by mixing complementary colors.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·alla prima
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions wrong, especially in the facial features.
- →Using too much pure color without mixing it with other tones.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that create form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·flat brushes (sizes 4, 8)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·easel
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for visible brushstrokes. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting.
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