plate no. 0257

Self-portrait

oil, panelNew Realismself-portraitportraitmanglassessuittiefigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value changes to create form. It also provides practice in creating a realistic skin tone and rendering clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, suit, and background.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, including the collar, tie, and lapels.
step 06
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the subject.
step 07
Add highlights and final details to enhance the realism.
step 08
Glaze with thin layers to unify the colors and values.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Skin tones are achieved by mixing white, raw sienna, and a touch of red. The suit is primarily black with subtle variations created by adding umber and white.

techniques

·portrait painting
·value study
·blending
·glazing
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the facial features.
→Overly harsh or flat lighting.
→Lack of subtle value changes in the skin tone.
→Ignoring the reflected light in the shadows.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas 16x20
·Oil paints: ivory black, burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, cadmium red light, yellow ochre
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Palette knife
·Rags