plate no. 5535

Self-portrait

Istvan Ilosvai Varga, 1932

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigurestill lifepitcherfruittable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and value changes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying mood through facial expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, pitcher, and fruit.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure.
step 03
Begin refining the skin tones, mixing a range of values and hues.
step 04
Add details to the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the details of the pitcher and fruit, capturing their forms and textures.
step 06
Refine the background, creating depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the forms.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the composition and color balance.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing burnt umber, yellow ochre, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darker tones in the background and shadows.

techniques