plate no. 0877

Self-Portrait

oil, canvasAcademicismself-portraitportraitmanfaceclothingself-portrait

some experience helpful

This painting is a good exercise in portraiture, focusing on capturing likeness and subtle skin tones. Recreating it will help students develop skills in color mixing and layering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and facial features.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of dark brown.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of earth tones.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to refine the skin tones, paying attention to subtle variations in hue and value.
step 05
Paint the hair and beard, using short, directional brushstrokes to suggest texture.
step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Paint the clothing, using darker values to create contrast and define the form.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by combining white, sienna, umber, and a touch of red. Use black and umber for shadows, and white with a touch of yellow ochre for highlights.

techniques