plate no. 5351

Self-Portrait

Tivadar Kosztka Csontvary, 1900

oil, canvasPost-Impressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigurewindowinteriorbuildingsky

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating depth through atmospheric perspective in the window view. It also provides practice in capturing light and shadow within an interior setting.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, paying attention to the proportions of the figure and the placement of the window.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background walls and the sky seen through the window.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones of the face and hands, using a limited palette of earth tones and white.
step 04
Begin to define the features of the face, paying close attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the clothing and the palette, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Refine the window view, adding details to the building and the clouds.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Review and adjust the painting, making sure that the proportions and colors are accurate.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · viridian

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky. Create muted greens by mixing yellow ochre and viridian.

techniques