plate no. 2051

Autorretrato

Carlos Quizpez Asín, 1960

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitmanbookneutral background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations for realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth through careful color and value relationships.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and book.
step 02
Establish the background planes with thin washes of color, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color on the face, neck, and clothing, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the subtle value gradations on the face to create a sense of form and depth.
step 06
Add details to the hair, paying attention to the direction of the light and the individual strands.
step 07
Refine the details of the book and hands, ensuring they are accurately rendered.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values and colors are balanced.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and umber. Darker areas use more umber and black, while highlights use more white and yellow ochre. The background is created with variations of umber and yellow ochre.

techniques