plate no. 9811

Self-Portrait

oilAcademicismself-portraitportraitmanbeardartistpalettepainting

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones and textures. It also provides practice in creating depth and form through subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
step 02
Block in the major shapes and values using thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on accurately capturing the likeness of the subject, paying close attention to the proportions and angles of the face.
step 04
Build up the skin tones gradually, using layers of thin paint to create subtle variations in color and value.
step 05
Define the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes and careful brushstrokes.
step 06
Render the clothing and background, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Refine the details and make any necessary adjustments to the composition.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Achieve skin tones by mixing white with small amounts of burnt sienna, raw umber, and yellow ochre. Use ivory black and raw umber for dark areas and shadows.

techniques