plate no. 2023

Autoportrait

Émilie Charmy, 1910

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitwomanfacehairclothingself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms and using expressive brushstrokes to define shapes and values. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating a sense of depth with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and hair.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark green, leaving space for the figure.
step 03
Mix a base skin tone and apply it to the face and neck, paying attention to the overall shape.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to the face using slightly darker and lighter variations of the skin tone.
step 05
Paint the hair with dark greens and browns, using visible brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Block in the clothing with a dark blue, adding subtle variations in tone.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · cadmium red

Mix skin tones by combining white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt umber. Darken the skin tone by adding more burnt umber and a touch of blue. Achieve the dark green background by mixing viridian green with burnt umber.

techniques

·blocking in
·expressive brushstrokes
·color mixing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→over-blending the skin tones
→getting the proportions of the face wrong
→making the background too uniform
→using too much detail

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·acrylic or oil paints
·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
·flat brushes (size 6)
·palette
·palette knife
·linseed oil or acrylic medium

optional

·easel
·painting rags
·medium gloss

Using a limited palette will help to unify the painting and create a harmonious color scheme. Experiment with different brushstrokes to achieve the desired texture and effect.

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