plate no. 1555

Self-Portrait

Antoni Tapies, 1945

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and expressive brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying emotion through subtle details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the main color areas, focusing on the shadows and mid-tones.
step 04
Mix skin tones using a limited palette of earth tones, white, and a touch of red or yellow.
step 05
Apply paint with loose, expressive brushstrokes, varying the direction and pressure.
step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add highlights and details to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Adjust the overall composition and color balance as needed.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · Prussian blue · burnt sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or burnt sienna. Use raw umber and Prussian blue for darker shadows and clothing.

techniques