plate no. 1932

Self Dürer Aka. Self Portrait «Dürer»

Abdul Mati Klarwein, 1957

oilMagic Realismportraitportraitfigurebreadclothtableheadwear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting draped fabric and still life elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure, bread, and table.
step 02
Establish the overall background color with a thin wash of diluted paint.
step 03
Block in the major areas of color for the skin, clothing, bread, and table, focusing on accurate value relationships.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the draped cloth, using a combination of blending and layering techniques.
step 06
Add details to the bread, such as the crust texture and subtle color variations.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, ensuring a cohesive and realistic representation.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create depth.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

The painting relies on subtle variations of a limited palette. Mixes of white, blue, and crimson create the overall lavender hue. Yellow ochre and burnt umber are used to warm the skin tones and add depth to the shadows.

techniques