plate no. 9277

Self-portrait

oil, canvasNeoclassicismself-portraitportraitfigureclothingmaleface

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 rendering fabrics and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 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 by blocking in the background and major areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the form of the face and hands using subtle gradations of value.
step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
step 06
Add details such as the hair, collar, and embellishments on the clothing.
step 07
Refine the edges and details throughout the painting.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · yellow ochre · cadmium red

secondary · titanium white · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray for the skin tones and background. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix red and yellow ochre for the jacket.

techniques