plate no. 4480

Self-portrait

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfiguremirrorflowersvasestill life

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, layering, and capturing expressive brushstrokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms and creating a focal point.

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: the face, the mirror frame, the vase, and the background elements.
step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, face, and vase using thin washes.
step 03
Begin layering the darker values to define the shadows and contours of the face and vase.
step 04
Introduce the secondary colors to add depth and variation to the skin tones and floral arrangement.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes and facial hair.
step 06
Add the highlights to the face, vase, and flowers to create a sense of light and form.
step 07
Define the mirror frame with its distinct color and texture.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive result.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · sap green · rose madder

Mix browns and grays by combining umber, sienna, and white. Achieve skin tones by blending sienna, red, and white, adjusting the proportions for warmth or coolness. Create the background red by mixing cadmium red with a touch of umber.

techniques