plate no. 6225

Self Portrait

Thomas Hart Benton, 1934

oilRegionalismself-portraitfigureportraitself-portraitartistpaintingeasel

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in mixing and applying a limited color palette to create a cohesive and harmonious image.

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 and proportions of the figure, easel, and background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with a thin wash of neutral color.
step 03
Begin blocking in the local colors of the skin, clothing, and background, focusing on accurate value relationships.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value that define the form.
step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, easel, and background, maintaining a consistent level of detail throughout the painting.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Check the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white. Use small amounts of cadmium red and ultramarine blue to adjust the temperature and saturation of the skin tones. Darken colors by adding burnt umber or ultramarine blue.

techniques