plate no. 3256

Self Portrait

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigureself-portraitartistpalettebrushes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and creating realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering fabric and subtle gradations of 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 head, shoulders, and hands using light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar neutral tone.
step 03
Begin blocking in the skin tones, starting with the mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Mix and apply the colors for the clothing, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 05
Paint the hair, using a combination of light and dark strokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and precise strokes.
step 07
Refine the background and any other elements in the painting, such as the palette and brushes.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, red, and umber, adjusting the proportions to create different shades. Mix blue and white for the cool tones in the clothing. Use yellow ochre to warm up the skin tones and create highlights.

techniques

·portraiture
·blending
·glazing
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin.
→Overworking details before establishing the overall composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (titanium white, raw umber, cadmium red light, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·assorted brushes (round and flat, sizes 2-8)
·palette knife

optional

·medium (e.g., Liquin)
·varnish

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium can be added to the paint to improve flow and drying time. Use a canvas that is primed with gesso.

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