plate no. 8433

Self-Portrait as an Allegory of Painting

oilBaroqueself-portraitfigureportraitdraperycherubpalettesketch

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and drapery folds, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the main figures and composition.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures, focusing on accurate proportions.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Develop the drapery, paying attention to the way light interacts with the folds.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, hair, and accessories.
step 07
Paint the cherub and the sketches in the foreground.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue drapery, and mix browns and blacks for the background.

techniques