plate no. 6418

Self Portrait

Lois Mailou Jones, 1940

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureartiststudioclothingbrushes

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and brushwork. Students will also learn to depict textures and patterns in clothing.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin layering in skin tones, focusing on subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Define the background elements, including the sculptures and artwork.
step 07
Refine the brushwork and add final details to create texture and depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall composition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · yellow ochre

secondary · raw umber · titanium white · viridian

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and cadmium red, adjusting with white and blue for highlights and shadows. Mix blues and whites for the jacket, and reds with browns for the shirt.

techniques