plate no. 5131

Self-Portrait

Vasile Dobrian, 1938

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurescarfwindowbuildingself-portrait

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand the use of high contrast to create form and practice simplifying complex shapes into basic geometric forms. It also provides practice in creating textures with line work.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a rough sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to the proportions and angles of the figure's face and body.
step 03
Outline the major shapes and forms with a dark pencil or marker.
step 04
Fill in the dark areas with black paint or ink, using bold, visible strokes.
step 05
Add details to the figure's face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using fine lines and shading.
step 06
Create texture in the clothing and background by varying the direction and thickness of the lines.
step 07
Add the polka dots on the scarf.
step 08
Review and refine the painting, making sure the values are balanced and the composition is strong.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary ·

This painting uses only black and white, so no color mixing is required.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·dry brush texture
·high contrast

common pitfalls

→Overcomplicating the details and losing the overall impact of the composition.
→Not paying attention to the proportions and angles of the figure.
→Using too much detail in the background, which can distract from the main subject.
→Creating muddy or unclear values.