plate no. 9817

Ready to Start Self-Portrait, 6 octobre 1917

William Orpen, 1917

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitself-portraitstill lifewindowbottlesinteriorsoldier

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, capturing reflected light, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in rendering various textures, from glass to fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the composition and proportions of the major elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall values and relationships between the different parts of the painting.
step 03
Develop the background elements, such as the building outside the window and the patterned wallpaper, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 04
Start working on the still life elements on the table, building up the forms and details of the bottles, glass, and books.
step 05
Focus on the self-portrait, carefully observing the light and shadow on the face and helmet.
step 06
Add details to the fur collar, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values and colors as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · gray · green · red · white

secondary · yellow · blue · brown

Mix various shades of gray by combining white, black, and small amounts of other colors like blue or brown. Achieve the green hues by mixing blues and yellows, and adjust the intensity with white or brown.

techniques