plate no. 9954
Self Portrait
Niko Pirosmani, 1900
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students practice portraiture basics, including proportions and capturing a likeness, as well as working with a limited color palette and visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of light blue, leaving some areas unpainted for texture.
- step 03
Paint the hat and suit with black, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 04
Add highlights and shadows to the hat and suit with white and darker shades of black.
- step 05
Paint the face with a light skin tone, adding shadows and highlights to define the features.
- step 06
Add the beard and mustache with careful brushstrokes, using a mix of black and white.
- step 07
Paint the shirt and buttons, adding details to the collar and lapels.
- step 08
Add any final details and touch-ups as needed.
color palette
primary · black · white · light blue
secondary · orange-red
Mix different shades of gray by combining black and white. Create the skin tone by mixing white with a touch of orange-red and brown.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·blocking in
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·portrait proportions
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Over-blending the colors and losing the visible brushstrokes.
- →Using too much detail and losing the naive style.
- →Not capturing the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Acrylic or oil paints (black, white, light blue, orange-red)
- ·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·Palette
- ·Palette knife
- ·Linseed oil or acrylic medium
- ·Rags
- ·Easel
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Use a canvas with a slightly rough texture to enhance the visible brushstrokes. Acrylics will dry faster, while oils will allow for more blending time.
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