plate no. 9992
Self-portrait
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand color relationships and how to simplify complex forms into basic shapes. It will also improve their ability to create bold, expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and landscape.
- step 02
Block in the main areas of color with thin washes.
- step 03
Start building up layers of color, focusing on the local color of each shape.
- step 04
Add darker values to create depth and dimension.
- step 05
Introduce highlights to create contrast and visual interest.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.
- step 08
Allow to dry and varnish (optional).
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red · cadmium yellow
secondary · viridian green · orange · black
Mix greens from blue and yellow, oranges from red and yellow. Use black sparingly to darken values, and mix with other colors to create muted tones.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·impasto
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Getting bogged down in details too early.
- →Not paying attention to the overall composition.
- →Using too much black.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oils)
- ·mineral spirits (if using oils)
optional
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
- ·easel
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Acrylics will dry faster, but oils allow for more blending time.
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