plate no. 9170

Self-portrait

Frederick Carl Frieseke, 1901

watercolorImpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurehatbow tieclothingman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose watercolor washes and expressive line work to capture a likeness. It also encourages experimentation with leaving areas unfinished for a more impressionistic feel.

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, hat, and shoulders using a pencil.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted raw sienna or similar earth tone to the face and background.
step 03
Add darker washes to define shadows and contours of the face, hat, and clothing.
step 04
Use a fine brush to add details like the eyes, nose, and mouth with a mix of brown and red watercolor.
step 05
Paint the bow tie with a vibrant red, allowing it to bleed slightly into the surrounding areas.
step 06
Add vertical strokes for the suit jacket using a gray or brown watercolor, leaving some areas unpainted.
step 07
Create drips and splatters to add to the loose, unfinished feel of the painting.
step 08
Reinforce key lines with pencil or watercolor to define the form further.

color palette

primary · raw sienna · burnt umber · red

secondary · gray · blue · purple

Mix raw sienna with small amounts of burnt umber to create various skin tones. Dilute colors significantly to achieve the watercolor wash effect. Use blue and purple sparingly for shadows and accents.

techniques