plate no. 3222

Self-portrait

Mikhaïl Nesterov, 1915

oil, panelSymbolismself-portraitportraitlandscaperiverfigurehattrees

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, landscape painting, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations and capturing textures with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the figure, river, and horizon line.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the figure's clothing, skin tones, the river, and the background landscape.
step 03
Refine the figure's features, paying attention to proportions and likeness.
step 04
Develop the landscape, layering colors to create depth and atmospheric perspective.
step 05
Add details to the river, including reflections and highlights.
step 06
Work on the textures of the clothing and the landscape using visible brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · Prussian blue

secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · cadmium red

Mix browns and grays by combining umber, blue, and white. Achieve the green hues of the landscape by mixing blue and yellow ochre, and adjust with white or umber for value.

techniques

·portraiture
·atmospheric perspective
·scumbling
·dry brush texture
·color layering

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the figure, losing the overall impression.
→Failing to create a sense of depth in the landscape.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Ignoring the importance of value contrast in creating form and depth.