plate no. 4943
Self-Portrait (1659)
Rembrandt van Rijn, 1659
experienced study
Students will develop advanced portrait techniques including dramatic chiaroscuro lighting, flesh tone mixing, and expressive brushwork that captures psychological depth and character.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 25 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with careful drawing of proportions and facial structure on toned canvas
- step 02
Block in major shadow shapes with warm darks (burnt umber + raw umber)
- step 03
Establish the darkest darks in the background and deepest shadows
- step 04
Paint the mid-tones of the face with warm flesh mixtures
- step 05
Add the lightest flesh tones on forehead, nose, and cheekbones
- step 06
Develop the hat and clothing with various warm browns and ochres
- step 07
Refine facial features with careful attention to eyes and expression
- step 08
Add final highlights and subtle color variations in the flesh
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · raw sienna · ivory black · naples yellow
Mix flesh tones with yellow ochre + white + touch of cadmium red, modify with raw umber for shadows and naples yellow for highlights
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro lighting
- ·alla prima painting
- ·scumbling
- ·impasto highlights
- ·glazing in shadows
common pitfalls
- →overworking wet paint
- →making flesh tones too pink or cold
- →losing form in the shadows
- →painting details before establishing values
materials
surface · pre-toned canvas in warm neutral gray or raw umber
required
- ·#2, #6, #10 flat hog bristle brushes
- ·#4 round sable brush
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·canvas 16x20 or 18x24
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·naples yellow oil paint
Use quality brushes as this technique requires confident, expressive brushwork that cheaper brushes cannot achieve
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