plate no. 1285

Self-portrait

oilFauvismself-portraitportraitself-portraitmanbeardfacehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create dynamic portraits. It also encourages exploration of non-realistic color palettes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, beard, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with loose, gestural strokes using a limited palette of warm and cool colors.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face using thin washes of color.
step 04
Build up the texture of the beard and hair with short, broken brushstrokes, layering different colors.
step 05
Define the facial features, paying attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and details to the face and hair to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and background, softening some areas and sharpening others.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · purple · orange · green

Mix various shades of skin tones by blending red, yellow, and white, and use blues and purples for shadows. Create the beard's depth by layering dark browns, purples, and reds.

techniques