plate no. 0750

Self-Portrait

Christian Schad, 1930

oilMagic Realismself-portraitportraitfigureskullsclothingbackground

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering subtle skin tones. It also provides practice in painting textures and details in clothing and background elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, paying close attention to subtle shifts in color and value.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and textures.
step 05
Paint the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Add details to the skulls, capturing their unique shapes and textures.
step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · viridian · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red. Use viridian and yellow ochre to create the green hues in the clothing.

techniques