plate no. 9111

Self-Portrait

Mark Rothko, 1936

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremansuitglassesself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness with simplified forms and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood and texture. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Block in the background with a warm, reddish-brown tone, using loose, visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the main areas of color for the suit, shirt, and tie, using darker and lighter values to create form.
step 04
Define the facial features, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth, even in their simplified form.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to the face and hands to create depth and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing, such as the collar, lapels, and folds, using small, controlled brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of unity and harmony.
step 08
Add final touches and details, such as the signature, to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna with varying amounts of white to create the warm tones of the background and skin. Add small amounts of red and blue to darken the shadows and create subtle color variations.

techniques

·blocking in
·dry brush texture
·scumbling
·limited palette
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy or discordant effect.
→Failing to establish a clear value structure and creating a flat or lifeless image.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·burnt umber oil paint
·raw sienna oil paint
·titanium white oil paint
·cadmium red oil paint
·ultramarine blue oil paint
·#6 round brush
·linseed oil

optional

·palette knife
·medium gloss
·easel
·odorless mineral spirits

Use a medium-grain canvas to allow for good paint adhesion and texture. Consider using a limited palette of oil paints to simplify the mixing process and create a more harmonious color scheme.

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