plate no. 4038

Portrait De L'artiste

oilRealismself-portraitportraitfiguremanself-portraitclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in using a limited palette and blending techniques to create subtle tonal variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the portrait, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and shadow using a limited palette.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to subtle tonal changes and highlights.
step 05
Paint the clothing with broad strokes, focusing on the overall shape and form.
step 06
Add details to the hair and beard, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Blend the edges of the forms to create a soft, diffused effect.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the eyes and other focal points.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Darken tones with burnt umber and black. Use raw umber for shadows and background.

techniques