Self-Portrait by Käthe Kollwitz

plate no. 5971

Self-Portrait

Käthe Kollwitz, 1924

charcoalExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurefacehaircharcoal drawing

some experience helpful

This work teaches fundamental portraiture skills including accurate facial proportions, expressive mark-making with charcoal, and creating emotional depth through selective detail and contrast.

technical profile

palette complexity

1

brushwork visibility

3

value contrast

4

compositional simplicity

5

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with light construction lines to establish head shape and facial proportions
step 02
Map out major shadow shapes and value patterns across the face
step 03
Develop the eyes and expression with careful observation of light and shadow
step 04
Work on hair texture using varied charcoal strokes and blending
step 05
Build up darker values in clothing and background areas
step 06
Refine facial features and add subtle modeling
step 07
Adjust overall contrast and clean up highlights with eraser
step 08
Add final expressive details and strengthen focal points

color palette

primary · charcoal black · paper white

secondary · warm grays · cool grays

Achieve various gray tones through pressure variation, blending, and layering of charcoal marks

techniques

·charcoal blending
·cross-hatching
·gestural mark-making
·subtractive drawing with eraser
·tonal modeling

common pitfalls

→overworking details too early
→losing overall value structure
→making marks too dark initially
→neglecting proportional accuracy

materials

surface · medium-tooth drawing paper or toned paper

required

·vine charcoal sticks
·compressed charcoal
·kneaded eraser
·blending stumps
·drawing paper 18x24
·fixative spray

optional

·white charcoal pencil
·paper towels
·sandpaper block

Use vine charcoal for initial layout and compressed charcoal for darker values and details

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

how to draw →how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Dolly Sisters

Dolly Sisters

Kees van Dongen

Nude with Loaves

Nude with Loaves

Jean Helion

My Father

My Father

Carlos Botelho

Helen

Helen

Chronis Botsoglou

The portrait painter in the country

The portrait painter in the country

Albin Egger-Lienz

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Marketta on Lázeňská street, Prague

Maria Bozoky

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Winter at the Entrepotdok, in Amsterdam city

Paul Werner

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

Old Woman with Masks (Theatre of Masks)

James Ensor