plate no. 7255

Omakuva

Sallinen Tyko, 1914

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanfaceclothingself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and expressive brushwork. It's a good exercise in capturing likeness and mood with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and shapes of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of blue.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face with thin washes.
step 04
Mix and apply the base skin tones, focusing on the overall value.
step 05
Add warmer tones to the highlights and cooler tones to the shadows.
step 06
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with thicker paint and more detail.
step 07
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 08
Refine the brushwork and add final details to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Yellow ochre

secondary · Burnt umber · Viridian

Mix various shades of blue by adding white or umber. Use yellow ochre and white for highlights on the face. Add a touch of viridian to the white for the clothing.

techniques