plate no. 8788

Self-Portrait

Martin Benka, 1953

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitartistfigureinteriorpaletteclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in depicting textures and layering colors to create depth.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch to establish proportions and composition.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Develop the background elements, paying attention to subtle color variations.
step 04
Focus on the face, building up layers of color to create realistic skin tones and features.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing and accessories, such as the palette and brushes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figure.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to achieve a cohesive look.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, raw umber, and small amounts of red and yellow. Use ultramarine blue and black to create the darker shades of the coat.

techniques