plate no. 2640

Lynx Boa (Self-Portrait)

Tove Jansson, 1942

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitfigureboaclothingfloral backgroundself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also offers practice in simplifying complex forms and capturing subtle variations in light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by blocking in large areas of color with thin washes.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, focusing on the patterns and textures.
step 05
Add the details of the boa, using short, broken brushstrokes to create a sense of fur.
step 06
Refine the background, adding the floral pattern and subtle variations in color.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Step back and make adjustments to ensure the overall composition is balanced and harmonious.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre · Prussian blue

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Mix skin tones using titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Achieve the blues in the background by mixing Prussian blue with titanium white. Use viridian green and yellow ochre for the green undertones in the skin.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color mixing
·layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, burnt umber, yellow ochre, Prussian blue, cadmium red, viridian green, raw sienna)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags