plate no. 0805
Self-portrait
Mabuse, 1517
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions, subtle color blending for skin tones, and rendering realistic textures in clothing and facial hair.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
- step 02
Establish the main light source and shadow areas.
- step 03
Block in the background with a thin layer of green, focusing on the subtle value changes.
- step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Paint the hat, paying attention to the folds and details.
- step 06
Render the clothing, focusing on the drapery and the way light interacts with the fabric.
- step 07
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, mouth, and beard.
- step 08
Refine the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · viridian green · ivory black
Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use viridian green and white to create the background, adjusting the ratio for subtle value shifts. Mix black and burnt umber for the dark clothing.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
- →Ignoring subtle value changes in the background.
- →Lack of detail in the facial features.
- →Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for layering.
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