plate no. 8049

Self-portrait

Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 1926

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitmanhatbeardfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating depth using a limited color palette. It also offers practice in loose, expressive brushwork.

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 figure, paying attention to the placement of the head, shoulders, and hat.
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 building up the form of the face, focusing on the planes and angles of the features.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and beard, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Work on the clothing, using looser brushstrokes to suggest the texture and folds of the fabric.
step 06
Paint the hat, paying attention to its shape and the way it sits on the head.
step 07
Refine the background, using soft, blended brushstrokes to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black

Achieve the various skin tones by mixing raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white in different proportions. Use yellow ochre to add warmth and ivory black to create shadows.

techniques

·dry brushing
·scumbling
·blending
·value studies
·portrait sketching

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details, which can result in a stiff and lifeless painting.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure, which can make the painting appear flat.
→Getting the proportions wrong, which can distort the likeness of the subject.
→Using too much paint, which can make the painting look muddy.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt sienna, titanium white, yellow ochre, ivory black)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife