plate no. 4619

Self-portrait

Albin Egger-Lienz, 1926

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurefaceself-portraitman

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students understand how to build form with value and practice hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create depth and texture. It also provides an opportunity to study facial proportions and anatomy.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic head shape and facial features, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin applying the primary color (red chalk or similar) in light layers, building up darker values in the shadows.
step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching to create texture and depth, varying the pressure and spacing of the lines.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using darker values to define their shapes.
step 06
Soften edges where necessary to create a more natural look.
step 07
Add final highlights to emphasize the light source and create a sense of form.
step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.