plate no. 5781

Self-Portrait

oilPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitfigurewomanself-portraithairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice portrait proportions, color mixing for skin tones, and achieving soft transitions between values. It's a good exercise in capturing a likeness and creating a sense of depth with subtle shading.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 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 paint.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions and subtle variations in skin tone.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to their shape and placement.
step 06
Refine the hair with individual strokes, capturing its texture and direction.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a focal point.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

secondary · titanium white · raw umber · cadmium red light

Mix yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white for the base skin tone. Add small amounts of red for warmth and blue for shadows. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber for the dark blue of the shirt.

techniques