plate no. 1047

Self-portrait

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)self-portraitportraitmanbeardhairfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in using a limited palette to create a range of values and textures.

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 face and figure within the circular format.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones, layering colors to create depth and realism. Pay close attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Define the features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, with careful attention to detail.
step 05
Render the hair and beard, using a variety of brushstrokes to create texture and volume.
step 06
Paint the clothing and background, using loose and expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red light for warmth. Use ivory black and burnt umber for shadows and hair.

techniques