plate no. 9035

Self-Portrait

oilRococoself-portraitfigurelandscapeclothingskyhatstaff

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to depict light and shadow on fabric and how to create a sense of depth using atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness in portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic figure and background composition, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of color.
step 03
Begin layering in the colors of the clothing, focusing on the highlights and folds.
step 04
Develop the background landscape, creating depth with lighter tones in the distance.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 06
Add details to the clothing, such as the stripes on the pants and the texture of the hat.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive image.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · ultramarine blue · raw umber

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix shades of white with blue and umber for the clothing. Use ochre and sienna for skin tones, and create atmospheric perspective by lightening colors with white for distant elements.

techniques