plate no. 9997
Self Portrait
Philippe de Champaigne, 1625
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding light and shadow to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Create a light sketch of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and values using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Start refining the skin tones, layering colors to create depth and realism.
- step 04
Work on the clothing, focusing on the folds and drapery.
- step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 06
Paint the hair, paying attention to the highlights and shadows.
- step 07
Refine the background, ensuring it complements the figure.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black
secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red light
Mix raw umber and ivory black for the dark clothing, adding white for highlights. Use yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and cadmium red light with white to create realistic skin tones. Mix ivory black and raw umber for the background.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Overworking the skin tones and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 16x20
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·medium gloss
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve blending.
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