plate no. 9972

Portrait of myself as a young boy

Ben Shahn, 1943

gouache, boardSocial Realismsymbolic paintingfiguresmusiciansinstrumentsbuildingstreetportrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify complex forms and use a limited color palette to create a cohesive image. It also provides practice in depicting figures in a stylized manner.

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 and placement of the figures, building, and other elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and building.
step 03
Add details to the building, such as the windows and architectural features.
step 04
Refine the shapes and forms of the figures, paying attention to their proportions and poses.
step 05
Paint the musical instruments, focusing on their unique shapes and details.
step 06
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the details and add any final touches.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish if desired.

color palette

primary · red · black · yellow · white

secondary · blue · grey

Mix various shades of red and brown for the building. Create grey by mixing black and white. Use yellow straight from the tube for the instruments, adding white for highlights.

techniques