plate no. 6923
self-portrait
David Kakabadze, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. It also provides practice in capturing the essence of a subject rather than hyper-realistic detail.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the skin tones using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face, paying attention to the subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 05
Add the clothing and background, using visible brushstrokes to create texture and interest.
- step 06
Refine the edges and details, softening or sharpening them as needed.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and titanium white, adjusting the proportions to achieve the desired hue and value. Use yellow ochre to warm the skin tones and ivory black to cool them. Add a touch of cadmium red light for the lips and cheeks.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value, leading to a lack of depth.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas to allow for texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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