plate no. 6702

Self-Portrait

oilRococoself-portraitportraitfiguremanclothinghistorical

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, capturing likeness, and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in blending and layering paint to create subtle gradations of color and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of pink, brown, and yellow.
step 05
Paint the hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery of the fabric.
step 07
Add highlights and details to the face and clothing to create depth and realism.
step 08
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the subject without distracting from it.

color palette

primary · titanium white · burnt umber · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of cadmium red. Use burnt umber and ivory black to create the darks in the clothing and background.

techniques