plate no. 2391
Self-portrait
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations to model form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure's proportions and pose on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, clothing.
- step 03
Develop the background with subtle gradations of tone.
- step 04
Refine the skin tones, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Paint the hands, palette and brushes.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · burnt sienna
secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
Mix various shades of brown and gray for the background and clothing. Use white to lighten skin tones and add highlights. Mix red and yellow ochre for subtle skin undertones.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle value gradations that create form.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas is recommended.
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