plate no. 4574

Fragment of a smiling self-portrait at full length, detail

Richard Gerstl, 1904

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanfaceclothingself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and expression using a limited color palette and visible brushstrokes. It also encourages exploration of value and tonal variations to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and facial features, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green and brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, focusing on capturing the likeness and expression.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and tie, using darker values.
step 06
Develop the brushwork, using short, directional strokes to create texture and form.
step 07
Pay attention to the edges of the forms, softening some and leaving others more defined.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining burnt sienna, raw umber, and titanium white. Use ivory black sparingly to create darker shadows. Add a touch of yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones.

techniques