plate no. 7324

Self portrait

oilRealismself-portraitportraitmanprofileclothinghairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating texture with visible brushstrokes.

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 and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin to refine the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 04
Add details to the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes to create texture.
step 05
Work on the clothing, using darker values to create shadows and lighter values to create highlights.
step 06
Refine the background, blending the colors together to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 07
Add final details, such as the highlights in the eyes and the texture of the mustache.
step 08
Check proportions and values, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by combining raw sienna, burnt umber, and titanium white. Add small amounts of yellow ochre or ivory black to adjust the color as needed.

techniques