plate no. 4224

Self-Portrait

Endre Balint, 1936

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigureindoorsbackgroundsweater

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice loose watercolor washes and expressive line work to capture a likeness. It also encourages simplification of form and value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
step 02
Mix a light wash of diluted brown or gray for the skin tone and apply it loosely to the face and neck, leaving some areas untouched for highlights.
step 03
Use a slightly darker mix of the same color to define the shadows on the face, around the eyes, nose, and under the chin.
step 04
Paint the sweater with a diluted blue-gray wash, allowing the color to bleed and blend naturally.
step 05
Add touches of red to the collar and sleeves, keeping the colors muted and transparent.
step 06
Use a fine-tipped brush or pen to add the dark outlines and details, such as the eyes, hair, and sweater pattern.
step 07
Add washes of color to the background, keeping it simple and abstract.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely and then add any final touches or adjustments.

color palette

primary · raw umber · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light

secondary · ivory black · titanium white

Mix raw umber with ultramarine blue to create the gray tones. Dilute with water to control the intensity of the washes. Add a touch of cadmium red to the skin tone for warmth.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·expressive line work
·limited palette
·wet-on-dry
·glazing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing the transparency of the colors.
→Making the outlines too heavy and detracting from the overall effect.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using too much water and causing the colors to bleed uncontrollably.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·Watercolor paper (140lb or heavier)
·Watercolor paints (raw umber, ultramarine blue, cadmium red light, ivory black)
·Round watercolor brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10)
·Water container
·Palette for mixing paints
·Paper towels
·Pencil
·Eraser

optional

·ruler
·masking fluid
·fine liner pen

Use good quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brushes to find the ones that work best for you.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

chat about this artwork

in this vein