plate no. 9188

Self-portrait

Gino Severini, 1908

pastel, paperImpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitmanface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portrait sketching, color mixing for skin tones, and using visible brushstrokes to create texture and form. It's a good exercise in capturing likeness and expression with a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
step 02
Establish the overall composition and proportions.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background and general skin tones.
step 04
Start layering colors to build up the form and create depth in the face.
step 05
Add darker values to define shadows and contours.
step 06
Introduce highlights to create a sense of light and volume.
step 07
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix yellow ochre and burnt umber with white for the base skin tones. Add small amounts of red for warmth and blue for shadows. Use white to create highlights.

techniques