plate no. 7392

Autorretrato

Andres de Santa Maria, 1923

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitmanhatmugfigurestill life

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the background, the figure's clothing, skin tones, and the mug.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build depth and dimension, focusing on the light and shadow areas.
step 04
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and mug, adding highlights and shadows.
step 06
Pay attention to the edges of shapes, softening some and sharpening others to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Continue layering and blending colors until the desired effect is achieved.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · burnt umber · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · cerulean blue · raw sienna

Mix various shades of red and brown for the background. Use yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white for skin tones. Add small amounts of blue to darken shadows.

techniques