plate no. 7865

Self-portrait

George Washington Lambert, 1906

oilSymbolismself-portraitportraitmanbeardhairclothingself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and rendering of skin tones. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas.
step 03
Mix a range of skin tones using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Begin applying paint to the face, focusing on capturing the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Pay close attention to the highlights and shadows to create a sense of form.
step 06
Paint the beard and hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Add details to the clothing and background, keeping them simple and understated.
step 08
Refine the painting by adjusting values, edges, and details as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · yellow ochre · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white. Add small amounts of burnt umber or ultramarine blue to create shadows and cool tones.

techniques