plate no. 2020

Self Portrait

Ed Clark, 1949

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanfaceclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, rendering skin tones, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in creating depth and texture with subtle color variations and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the portrait, paying attention to proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin layering and blending colors to create the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 05
Refine the clothing and background, adding texture and depth with brushstrokes.
step 06
Add the freckles and other small details.
step 07
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · raw sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of skin tone by combining yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark blues of the jacket. Mix raw sienna and white for the shirt.

techniques