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Self-portrait by David Bailly

plate no. 6847

Self-portrait

David Bailly, 1625

oilBaroqueself-portraitportraitfigurecollarhairscrolltable
some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering fine details, capturing likeness, and understanding chiaroscuro. The detailed textures of the hair, collar, and clothing offer opportunities to practice controlled brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and the oval frame.

  2. step 02

    Establish the darkest and lightest areas to define the value range.

  3. step 03

    Begin blocking in the main shapes of the face, hair, and clothing with mid-tone values.

  4. step 04

    Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and subtle shading.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture and volume.

  6. step 06

    Render the collar with careful attention to the folds and shadows.

  7. step 07

    Develop the details of the clothing, including the buttons and fabric texture.

  8. step 08

    Add the scroll and other objects on the table, paying attention to their form and lighting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Achieve subtle value changes by gradually mixing black and white. Use raw umber and payne's gray for warmer and cooler grays, respectively.

techniques

  • ·hatching
  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·dry brushing
  • ·value studies
  • ·portraiture

common pitfalls

  • →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
  • →Overworking the details before establishing the overall value structure.
  • →Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.
  • →Ignoring the subtle variations in value and texture.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·payne's gray oil paint
  • ·round brushes (sizes 0, 2, 4)
  • ·palette
  • ·linseed oil

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
  • ·varnish

Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A smooth canvas surface will allow for finer details.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →chiaroscuro →how to learn by studying the masters →
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