plate no. 0421

Self-portrait as a twenty year old

oilSymbolismself-portraitportraitfiguremanself-portraitclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones with subtle color variations. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow using a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the skin tones with a base layer of color, focusing on the overall warmth.
step 04
Begin building up the form by layering in highlights and shadows, paying attention to the subtle color shifts in the skin.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 06
Paint the clothing and background, using a limited palette of dark colors to create contrast with the face.
step 07
Refine the details and add finishing touches, such as highlights in the eyes and subtle textures in the hair.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and create a sense of depth.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create neutral darks for the background and clothing.

techniques