plate no. 3562
Self Portrait
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering of skin tones, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in creating subtle value transitions and depicting textures like hair and fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start building up the skin tones, layering different shades of warm and cool colors.
- step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the beard and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and tie.
- step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the subject.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue
Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium yellow and alizarin crimson for warmth. Use ultramarine blue to cool down the skin tones in shadow areas. Mix black and burnt umber for the dark clothing.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brushing
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the face
- →Over-blending of skin tones resulting in a flat appearance
- →Ignoring subtle value changes
- →Getting the likeness wrong
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ivory black, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue)
- ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Rags
optional
- ·Retouch varnish
- ·Medium (e.g., Liquin)
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to improve the flow and drying time of the paints.
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