plate no. 7892

Self-Portait

Kexin Di, 2017

oilContemporary Realismportraitportraitfigureself-portraitpersonclothinghead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth with subtle value changes. It also encourages practice in capturing likeness and expressing personality through brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the background and major areas of light and shadow with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the face, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Define the features of the face with careful brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Add details to the clothing and background, maintaining the overall tonal harmony of the painting.
step 07
Refine the edges and transitions between different areas of the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to completion.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired warmth and value. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool grays for the clothing and background.

techniques

·alla prima
·scumbling
·dry brush
·value study
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Neglecting the importance of accurate proportions.
→Focusing too much on details before establishing the overall value structure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, ivory black)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Rags