plate no. 5783

Self-portrait

Léo Gausson, 1900

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitmanmustacheclothingprofilehead

some experience helpful

This painting provides practice in capturing likeness and using color to define form. Students will learn to create texture with visible strokes and blend colors directly on the surface.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Block in the main color areas: skin tones, hair, clothing, and background.
step 03
Begin to refine the facial features, paying attention to the angles and curves of the nose, mouth, and eyes.
step 04
Add details to the hair and mustache, using short, directional strokes.
step 05
Develop the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
step 06
Blend and layer colors to create depth and dimension.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to accentuate the form.
step 08
Refine the edges and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Cadmium Yellow · Pink · Black

secondary · Green · Brown · White

Mix greens by combining blues and yellows. Create skin tones by mixing pinks, yellows, and browns. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·Hatching
·Scumbling
·Color blending
·Layering
·Impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the colors and losing the freshness of the strokes.
→Failing to capture the correct proportions of the face.
→Using too much blending and creating a muddy effect.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · Toned paper or pastel board

required

·Oil pastels or soft pastels
·Brown or toned paper
·Blending stumps or tortillons
·Kneaded eraser
·Fixative spray
·Palette
·Palette knife

optional

·Workable fixative
·Rags
·Easel

Using toned paper will help unify the colors and create a more harmonious effect. Oil pastels will give a richer, more saturated color, while soft pastels are easier to blend.

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