plate no. 2793

Self-Portrait

oilRomanticismself-portraitportraitfigureclothingself-portraitface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and using a limited palette to create depth and form. It also provides practice in visible brushwork and layering.

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 collar.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and raw sienna.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a mix of raw sienna, white, and a touch of red.
step 04
Begin building up the darker tones of the hair and clothing with burnt umber and black.
step 05
Add highlights to the face and collar with white and a touch of yellow ochre.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to subtle shifts in value and color.
step 07
Use short, visible brushstrokes to create texture in the hair and clothing.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the collar and face.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · ivory black · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing raw sienna, white, and small amounts of red and yellow ochre. Use burnt umber and black for shadows and dark areas. Add white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques