plate no. 1344

Self-Portrait

Gregoire Boonzaier, 1969

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanheadfaceself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing likeness with expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

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
Establish the overall background tone with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face and clothing using simplified shapes.
step 04
Begin layering colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful brushstrokes.
step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of depth and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the base skin tone. Add small amounts of burnt sienna and cadmium red for warmth, and yellow ochre for highlights. Use raw umber and white for the background.

techniques