plate no. 6443

Self-portrait

Otto Mueller, 1921

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanfaceself-portraithead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, understanding light and shadow, and using expressive brushstrokes to convey mood. It also encourages simplification of form and color.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, neck, and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of green.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using simplified shapes and values.
step 04
Mix and apply the base colors for the skin tones, focusing on the yellow and ochre hues.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add darker tones to define the hair and clothing.
step 07
Use expressive brushstrokes to create texture and movement in the background and clothing.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and colors to achieve a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · titanium white · raw sienna

Mix various shades of green by combining viridian green with ultramarine blue and burnt umber. Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, raw sienna, and small amounts of burnt umber and white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark tones in the hair and clothing.

techniques