plate no. 7552

Self-Portrait

Eugeniusz Zak, 1916

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitfigurescarfchairmanself-portrait

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in capturing a likeness and understanding subtle color variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: the background, the figure's clothing, the chair, and the skin tones.
step 03
Start refining the shapes and values of the face, focusing on the light and shadow.
step 04
Add details to the clothing and chair, such as folds and highlights.
step 05
Mix and apply subtle color variations to the skin tones to create depth and realism.
step 06
Paint the scarf, paying attention to the way it drapes and folds.
step 07
Add final details, such as the hair and the objects in the figure's hand.
step 08
Adjust values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and balanced painting.

color palette

primary · olive green · red ochre · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix olive green from raw umber and ultramarine blue. Create skin tones by mixing red ochre, raw umber, and titanium white, adjusting the ratios for highlights and shadows. The scarf is a mix of cadmium red and a touch of ultramarine blue.

techniques

·blocking in
·value studies
·color mixing
·blending
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Overworking the skin tones and making them look muddy.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the subject's clothing.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: olive green, red ochre, raw umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Palette knife
·Rags