plate no. 9373
Self-portrait
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including accurate proportions and subtle value transitions to create form. It will also provide practice in mixing skin tones and creating a sense of depth through layering.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
- step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of burnt sienna and raw umber.
- step 03
Establish the main shadow shapes on the face and clothing using a darker mix of browns and blues.
- step 04
Begin layering in lighter skin tones, focusing on the highlights on the forehead, nose, and cheeks.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Add details to the hair, beard, and clothing, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
- step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · cadmium red light
Mix skin tones by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, and small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create cool shadows.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
- →Failing to create enough contrast between the light and shadow areas.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
- ·oil paints (burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, ivory black, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette knife
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·mahl stick
Use a fine-weave canvas for smoother blending. Consider using a medium to improve the flow of the paint.
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