plate no. 2869

Self-Portrait

Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, 1919

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitself-portraitfiguremanfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive line work and layering transparent watercolor washes. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and emotion through simplified forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and figure with a pencil.
step 02
Outline the key features and contours with a black or dark brown ink or watercolor pencil.
step 03
Apply a light wash of yellow and orange watercolor to the skin tones, allowing the paper to show through in places.
step 04
Add washes of blue to the background, creating variations in tone and intensity.
step 05
Paint the clothing with washes of green and black, using darker values to create shadows.
step 06
Use a fine brush to add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Reinforce the outlines with ink or watercolor pencil, adding more definition to the features.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights with white or light-colored watercolor.

color palette

primary · yellow · orange · blue

secondary · green · black · brown · red

Mix various shades of skin tones by combining yellow, orange, and a touch of red. Achieve the green for the jacket by mixing blue and yellow, and darken it with black.

techniques

·watercolor washes
·expressive linework
·layering
·dry brush
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the washes and losing transparency.
→Making the outlines too heavy and dominant.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Not allowing the paper to show through.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (small and medium)
·watercolor pencils or ink pen
·pencil
·palette
·water container

optional

·masking fluid
·kneaded eraser
·ruler

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different types of brushes to achieve various effects.

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