plate no. 1030

Peter Nicolai Arbo

oilRomanticismself-portraitportraitfiguremanhatclothingbeard

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It will also provide practice in creating subtle color variations and blending.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hat.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of blue and gray tones, allowing for subtle variations.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle shading to create form.
step 05
Add details to the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and dimension.
step 06
Develop the clothing with darker values and subtle highlights, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 07
Add the hat, focusing on the texture and form.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, refining details and ensuring a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · ivory black · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · raw sienna

secondary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light, and a touch of burnt umber. Achieve the dark clothing and hat by mixing ivory black with burnt umber and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques