plate no. 8784

Self Portrait

oil, canvasBaroqueself-portraitfigureportraitclothinghairhandcolumn

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric folds. It also provides practice in glazing and layering to achieve depth and luminosity.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's pose and proportions on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values with thin washes of color.
step 03
Start building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations.
step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 05
Work on the clothing, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 06
Refine the background and add details to the column.
step 07
Glaze over the painting to unify the colors and add depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Achieve the darks in the clothing by mixing black, umber, and a hint of blue. Use glazes of burnt sienna to warm up the shadows.

techniques