plate no. 0815
Self-portrait
Isaac Fuller, 1670
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the portrait within the oval frame.
- step 02
Establish the dark background and the overall value structure.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, hat, and clothing.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to light and shadow.
- step 05
Add details to the hat and scarf, capturing their textures.
- step 06
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing.
- step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · alizarin crimson
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Use burnt umber and white for the base skin tones, adding small amounts of alizarin crimson and yellow ochre for warmth. Mix ivory black with burnt umber for the dark background and shadows.
techniques
- ·portrait painting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color temperature.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·medium gloss
Use a canvas with a smooth texture to facilitate blending. Consider using a medium to thin the oil paints for glazing.
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