plate no. 7837

Self-Portrait

Elmer Bischoff, 1955

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitwindowman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice simplified color blocking and capturing likeness with minimal detail. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and window.
step 02
Block in the background with light blue and white, using loose brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main skin tone with a base layer of orange and red.
step 04
Add darker values to the shadows on the face and neck using burnt umber and alizarin crimson.
step 05
Introduce green and yellow hues to the face for subtle color variations.
step 06
Paint the shirt with a mix of blue and gray, adding subtle highlights and shadows.
step 07
Refine the features of the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · orange · blue · white · red

secondary · green · yellow · gray · burnt umber

Mix orange with red and yellow for skin tones, and add green and blue for shadows. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix blue and gray for the shirt.

techniques