plate no. 0378
Self-portrait
Alfredo Andersen, 1932
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing with a limited palette, and creating form with visible brushstrokes. It also encourages observation of subtle value changes to define shapes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
- step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main color areas: background, hat, face, shirt, and tie.
- step 04
Begin layering colors, focusing on capturing the subtle shifts in value and hue.
- step 05
Use visible brushstrokes to define the form and create texture.
- step 06
Pay close attention to the light and shadow on the face to create depth.
- step 07
Refine the details of the hat and clothing, adding highlights and shadows.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Achieve the skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the whites and create shadows. Yellow ochre adds warmth to the highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·limited palette mixing
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
- →Failing to observe the subtle value changes in the face and clothing.
- →Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the main subject.
- →Not accurately capturing the proportions of the figure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a medium texture to enhance the visibility of the brushstrokes. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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