plate no. 9134

Autoportretas

Sarunas Sauka3, 1992

oilSurrealismself-portraitportraitfacefigureself-portraitexpression

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing expressive features and using light and shadow to create depth. It will also teach how to mix realistic skin tones and create texture with brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and hands onto the canvas.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and shadows on the face with a dark brown or black.
step 03
Begin blocking in the mid-tones of the skin using a mix of browns, reds, and yellows.
step 04
Add highlights to the face, focusing on the forehead, nose, and cheekbones.
step 05
Paint the details of the eyes, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 06
Add the red color of the tongue and the pink of the ears.
step 07
Refine the brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ultramarine blue for cooler shadows.

techniques