plate no. 1022

Self-Portrait

Ivan Mrkviсka, 1900

oilRealismself-portraitportraitmanbeardfigureclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle tonal variations to create form and depth. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures, especially in the beard and hair.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the head and shoulders, paying attention to the placement of features.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Establish the main light and shadow patterns on the face and beard using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Add details to the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Paint the clothing, keeping it simple and dark to avoid distracting from the face.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and beard to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the focus remains on the face.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining black, umber, sienna, and white. Add small amounts of yellow and crimson to create warmer skin tones. Use white to create highlights and lighten the overall value of the colors.

techniques