plate no. 3349

Autoportrait

oil, canvasImpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureclothingfacehairglasses

some experience helpful

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

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and main features.
step 02
Establish the background with broad, blended strokes of muted browns and greens.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, nose, and mouth. Use subtle color variations to create form and depth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar, tie, and jacket. Use thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the glasses, paying attention to the reflections and distortions they create.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the blue of the jacket by mixing ultramarine blue with burnt umber and a touch of white for highlights.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·blending
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, resulting in a stiff and unnatural appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a garish and unrealistic painting.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast, resulting in a flat and lifeless painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, burnt umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, raw sienna)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife
·rags