plate no. 1667
Self-portrait
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering subtle variations in skin tone. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through value and shadow.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the composition, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
- step 02
Block in the background with a dark, neutral color.
- step 03
Establish the basic skin tones and values on the face, using thin washes of color.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
- step 05
Paint the clothing, focusing on the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Add details such as the glasses and mustache.
- step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust colors as needed.
color palette
primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre
secondary · burnt sienna · alizarin crimson
Mix skin tones by combining white, yellow ochre, raw umber, and small amounts of burnt sienna and alizarin crimson. Use ivory black and raw umber to create the dark background and shadows in the clothing.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·value study
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and losing the subtle variations.
- →Making the background too light or too dark.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·alizarin crimson oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use a medium-grit canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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