plate no. 8091

Self-portrait

Francis Gruber, 1942

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigureinteriorartistwindoweasel

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness, and understanding how to create depth and form using value and color. It also provides practice in depicting textures and creating a sense of atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and the background elements (windows, easel).
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with diluted paint.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the proportions and angles of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the clothing, focusing on the folds and creases that define the form.
step 05
Work on the background elements, adding details to the windows, easel, and floorboards.
step 06
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting, adding highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Pay attention to the color temperature and adjust the colors as needed to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final touches and glazes to unify the painting and enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna

Mix ultramarine blue and raw umber for the dark blues of the jacket and shadows. Use yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of burnt sienna for warmth. Mix white with small amounts of raw umber and yellow ochre to create the wall color.

techniques