plate no. 1204

Self-Portrait

oilImpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigurehatartistseasky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing subtle light and shadow variations. It also provides practice in rendering textures like fabric and hair with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: head, hat, shoulders, and canvas.
step 02
Block in the background sky and sea with thin washes of color.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using a mix of warm and cool colors.
step 04
Define the shadows and highlights on the face and clothing.
step 05
Add details to the hat, glasses, and facial hair.
step 06
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and texture.
step 07
Paint the artist's hand and the canvas he is working on.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue

secondary · raw umber · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red or blue. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, adding a touch of yellow ochre for warmth near the horizon.

techniques