plate no. 1361
Self=portrait
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle value transitions, and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying character through facial expression.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the oval composition and the figure's basic proportions.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin, hair, clothing, and background.
- step 03
Establish the light and shadow patterns on the face, focusing on the planes of the face.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the hair and beard, using varied brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 06
Develop the clothing, capturing the folds and highlights.
- step 07
Blend and refine the transitions between values to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the portrait to life.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by blending white, burnt sienna, raw umber, and a touch of red and yellow. Achieve darks by mixing ivory black with raw umber. Use white to create highlights.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value studies
- ·blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
- →Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Using too much black, making the painting look muddy.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched oval canvas
required
- ·stretched oval canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·assorted round and flat brushes
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a medium-tooth canvas for best results. Consider using a glazing medium to enhance the depth and luminosity of the colors.
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