plate no. 4862

Self Portrait

oilDivisionismself-portraitportraitmanfigurebeardclothingself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations and applying broken color techniques to create texture and form. It will also improve their understanding of portrait proportions and capturing likeness.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the background and main areas of the portrait.
step 03
Begin building up layers of broken color using small, distinct brushstrokes, focusing on the face first.
step 04
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones, using a mix of warm and cool colors.
step 05
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 06
Add details to the hair, beard, and clothing, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and depth.
step 07
Refine the background by adding more layers of broken color and adjusting the values to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the colors and values are balanced and harmonious.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · raw sienna

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, cadmium red, and titanium white, with small amounts of ultramarine blue or burnt umber to create shadows. The background is a mix of greens, yellows, and browns.

techniques