plate no. 7641

Self Portrait

Petros Malayan, 1979

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothingbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, loose watercolor washes, and capturing likeness through expressive brushstrokes. It also encourages experimentation with color mixing and layering to achieve depth and form.

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 and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Apply a light wash of diluted yellow ochre and raw sienna to the skin areas.
step 03
Add darker washes of burnt umber and indigo to define shadows and contours.
step 04
Use a smaller brush to add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Paint the clothing with loose washes of white, grey, and touches of green and brown.
step 06
Create the background with varied washes of blues, greens, browns, and blacks, allowing colors to blend and bleed.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the form and texture.
step 08
Allow to dry completely and add a final glaze if needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · indigo · titanium white

secondary · raw sienna · sap green · payne's gray · ultramarine blue

Mix browns with blues and yellows to create muted skin tones. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights. Experiment with layering washes to achieve depth and complexity.

techniques