plate no. 9020

Self-Portrait

Marie Duhem, 1910

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitfigurehatclothingwomanself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint, capturing form with loose brushstrokes, and mixing subtle color variations to create depth and dimension. It's a good exercise in capturing a likeness without precise detail.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: background, skin tones, clothing, and hat.
step 03
Start layering paint, focusing on capturing the light and shadow patterns.
step 04
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the form of the face and clothing.
step 05
Mix subtle color variations to create depth and dimension in the skin tones and background.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and hat to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, raw umber, and a touch of red. Achieve the background grays by mixing black, white, and a touch of blue or umber. The white shirt is achieved by mixing white with small amounts of blue and yellow.

techniques