plate no. 4389

Autoportrait n° 11

Bernard Buffet, 1981

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurefaceself-portraitmanexpressionism

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use expressive brushstrokes to convey emotion and how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create a cohesive and impactful image.

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, neck, and shoulders, focusing on proportions and angles.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of yellow ochre, using visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Mix a range of gray tones using black and white, and begin to define the facial features, paying attention to the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Use a darker gray or black to outline the key features and add definition to the hair and clothing.
step 05
Add small amounts of blue to the grays for cooler tones in the shadows.
step 06
Introduce highlights with lighter grays and touches of white, especially on the nose, cheekbones, and forehead.
step 07
Refine the details of the eyes and mouth, capturing the expressive qualities of the portrait.
step 08
Add the signature and date in a similar style to the original.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · black · white

secondary · blue

Mix various shades of gray by combining black and white in different ratios. Add small amounts of yellow ochre to the white for warmer highlights, and blue to the black for cooler shadows.

techniques