plate no. 7369

Self-Portrait

Raoul Dufy, 1901

oilImpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitmanclothingface

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice loose watercolor washes and capturing likeness with minimal detail. Students can learn to suggest form and light using limited color and expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face and figure with a pencil.
step 02
Apply a light, diluted wash of warm yellow or ochre over the entire paper as a base tone.
step 03
Begin adding darker washes of burnt sienna and umber to define the shadows and contours of the face and hair.
step 04
Use a slightly darker mix to define the features like the eyes, nose, and mouth, keeping the edges soft.
step 05
Add washes of red and orange to the background and clothing, varying the intensity for depth.
step 06
Introduce small amounts of blue and green for subtle color variations in the shadows and features.
step 07
Use a fine brush to add thin, dark lines for details like the hair strands and clothing edges.
step 08
Let the painting dry completely and assess the values; add final touches to enhance contrast and definition.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · yellow ochre

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · sap green

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create muted shadows. Dilute colors with water for transparent washes.

techniques

·wet-on-wet blending
·dry brush texture
·glazing
·limited palette
·expressive linework

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using too much water and creating muddy colors.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints
·round brushes (sizes 4, 8)
·water container
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·masking fluid
·palette knife
·spray bottle
·kneaded eraser

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve varying levels of detail.

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