plate no. 6203

Self-portrait at the easel

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigureartisteaselpalettebrushes

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 creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, easel, and palette.
step 02
Establish the background with a mid-tone gray-brown, blending smoothly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, clothing, and palette, focusing on accurate value relationships.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth, and subtle shifts in skin tone.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and highlights, and the texture of the jacket.
step 06
Paint the easel and the painting on it, focusing on the gold frame.
step 07
Add the details of the brushes and the paint on the palette.
step 08
Make final adjustments to values and details to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, raw sienna, and small amounts of red and umber. Darker areas use more umber and black, while highlights use more white and yellow ochre. The background is a mix of black, umber, and white.

techniques