plate no. 7806

Self portrait

oilBaroqueself-portraitportraitfiguremanclothingpalettebrushes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering subtle tonal variations in skin and fabric. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using chiaroscuro.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown.
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and collar.
step 03
Block in the main areas of dark and light using thin washes of burnt umber and white.
step 04
Gradually build up the values in the face, paying close attention to the subtle transitions between light and shadow.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 06
Paint the collar and clothing, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Add the palette and brushes, paying attention to the colors and textures.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · raw sienna · ivory black · cadmium red

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Darken these mixtures with burnt umber. Use ivory black sparingly to create deep shadows.

techniques