plate no. 0896

Self-portrait

oilBaroqueself-portraitportraitfiguremanclothingdrawingpipe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones, as well as understanding subtle color variations and blending techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin, clothing, and paper.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, using layers of thin paint and subtle blending.
step 04
Add details to the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Paint the hair, using thin strokes to create texture and movement.
step 06
Refine the features of the face, focusing on accurate proportions and subtle shading.
step 07
Add the drawing on the paper, using a fine brush and light gray tones.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Titanium white · Burnt umber

secondary · Yellow ochre · Cadmium red light · Payne's gray

Mix skin tones using white, red, yellow ochre, and a touch of umber. Create the blue of the coat by mixing Prussian blue with white and a touch of umber for darker shades.

techniques