plate no. 2064

Self-Portrait

Theophrastos Triantafyllidis, 1952

oil, canvasImpressionismself-portraitportraitself-portraitfiguremanfaceartist

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also encourages expressive brushwork to capture texture and form.

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 of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin washes of color to the canvas.
step 03
Begin building up the skin tones by layering different shades of brown, ochre, and white.
step 04
Define the facial features with darker values and careful brushstrokes.
step 05
Add details to the hair, clothing, and background, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 06
Refine the edges and blend the colors to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create visual interest.
step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · yellow ochre · viridian green · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and white, adjusting the proportions to create different shades. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create darks. Mix viridian green with white and yellow ochre for the background.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·dry brush
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Neglecting the subtle value changes in the skin tones.
→Focusing too much on detail and losing the overall impression.
→Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in creating form.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, viridian green, ivory black)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife