plate no. 5272
Self-portrait
Charles Gleyre, 1834
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in creating soft, atmospheric backgrounds.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of color.
- step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in color and value.
- step 04
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
- step 05
Develop the background, using soft, blended brushstrokes to create an atmospheric effect.
- step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Refine the details of the hat and feather.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · yellow ochre
secondary · cadmium red · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Create atmospheric blues by diluting ultramarine with white.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of the figure
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones
- →Lack of depth in the background
- →Overworking the details
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#6 flat brush
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.
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