plate no. 3168

Self-Portrait

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanclothingself-portraitface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing subtle variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using light and shadow.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark green and blue.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, clothing, and hands, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add highlights to the face and clothing to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and background to create a sense of atmosphere.
step 08
Add final details and adjustments to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ivory black

Mix skin tones using burnt sienna, titanium white, and small amounts of yellow ochre and cadmium red. Achieve the background color by mixing ultramarine blue and ivory black, adjusting the proportions to create variations in tone.

techniques

·portraiture
·color mixing
·value study
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Overworking the details and losing the overall sense of form.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (burnt sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife