plate no. 9132

Self-portrait

Rodolfo Amoedo, 1921

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)self-portraitportraitmansuitfaceclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through subtle value changes. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying personality through facial features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and suit, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of red, varying the tone slightly.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the face with light and shadow, using a limited palette of skin tones.
step 04
Develop the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness.
step 05
Paint the suit and bow tie, using darker values to create depth and form.
step 06
Refine the highlights and shadows on the face and clothing, adding subtle color variations.
step 07
Add texture to the background and clothing with visible brushstrokes.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · red · white · raw umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the dark tones of the suit. Vary the red background by adding small amounts of white or raw umber.

techniques