plate no. 4395

Self-Portrait

oilAcademicismself-portraitportraitmanfaceself-portraitfiguremustache

some experience helpful

This painting offers practice in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and creating depth through subtle value changes. Students can learn to mix realistic skin tones and render form with soft edges.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Establish the darkest and lightest values to create a value map.
step 03
Block in the large shapes of the face and clothing with thin washes of color.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Refine the features of the face, focusing on accurate proportions and details.
step 06
Soften edges and blend colors to create a smooth transition between values.
step 07
Add details such as the hair, mustache, and clothing.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to achieve a realistic and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth and ivory black for shadows. Use yellow ochre to create highlights on the face.

techniques