plate no. 3030
Self-Portrait
Carel Willink, 1944
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value gradations for realistic skin tones, as well as rendering textures like fabric.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a detailed sketch of the composition, paying close attention to proportions and anatomical accuracy.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and areas of color using thin washes of paint.
- step 03
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of subtle color variations, focusing on light and shadow.
- step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures.
- step 05
Paint the background and secondary elements, such as the mannequin and brushes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and realistic effect.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · burnt sienna · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of raw umber, burnt sienna, and yellow ochre. Use ivory black to create shadows and darker values. Mix the jacket color with raw umber, burnt sienna and a touch of cadmium red light.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
- →Ignoring the details of the clothing and background.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, burnt sienna, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paints and improve flow.
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