plate no. 7373

Self Portrait

oilNeoclassicismself-portraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in loose, expressive brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, hair, clothing, and background.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Develop the form of the clothing with darker values and directional brushstrokes.
step 06
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create darker values for shadows and clothing. Add small amounts of red to the cheeks and lips for warmth.

techniques