plate no. 5703

Self-portrait

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva, 1940

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitfigureartistinteriorpaintingstill life

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and still life elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and objects.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, using subtle variations.
step 05
Define the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 07
Add the still life elements, such as the brushes and painting, paying attention to their relative sizes and positions.
step 08
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red light. Achieve the blue-gray of the dress by mixing ultramarine blue with raw umber and white. Use raw umber and yellow ochre for the background.

techniques