plate no. 1302

Self-portrait

Lajos Tihanyi, 1920

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigureartistclothinghandspaper

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing, and capturing light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in depicting textures and rendering clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, hands, and the paper.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color using thin washes, establishing the overall tonal values.
step 03
Begin to build up the form of the face, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, using thicker paint and visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Work on the hands, carefully observing the shapes and textures.
step 06
Refine the background, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
step 08
Check the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · olive green · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Mix greens by combining ultramarine blue and yellow ochre, then adjust with white or raw umber. Achieve skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna.

techniques