plate no. 5099
Self-portrait
Frank Holl, 1863
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportion and value mapping, as well as blending techniques to create smooth transitions in skin tones and capturing the likeness of a subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Prepare a canvas with a neutral ground.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of value, starting with the darkest areas of the background and clothing.
- step 04
Establish the mid-tones in the face, paying attention to the planes of the face.
- step 05
Begin layering lighter values to define highlights and refine the form.
- step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
- step 07
Refine the hair, using loose brushstrokes to suggest texture and form.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and edges to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, and a touch of umber. Use ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson to create the purple in the tie.
techniques
- ·value mapping
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·glazing
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
- →Over-blending, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value, making the form appear less three-dimensional.
- →Using colors straight from the tube without mixing, creating unnatural skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·Oil paints (raw umber, burnt umber, titanium white, ivory black, alizarin crimson, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue)
- ·Assorted brushes (round, flat, filbert)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Linseed oil
- ·Rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use a limited palette to achieve a harmonious color scheme. Consider using a toned canvas to establish a mid-tone base.
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