plate no. 7473

Self-Portrait

Otto Dix, 1914

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitfaceexpressionism

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing a likeness with bold strokes. It also encourages experimentation with abstract background elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the main areas of light and shadow using thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on capturing the planes of the face with visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Mix and apply a range of skin tones, using warm and cool colors to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth, ear) with darker values and sharper edges.
step 06
Add the red and black clothing details using expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Create the abstract background using broad strokes of black, white, and other accent colors.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the overall composition as needed.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, white, and touches of red, yellow ochre, and blue. Use black sparingly to create shadows and define edges.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·scumbling
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Getting bogged down in details too early.
→Not using enough paint, resulting in a thin and lifeless painting.
→Failing to capture the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or mineral spirits