plate no. 1374

Self Portrait

Vela Zanetti, 1981

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanpipebeardface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in loose sketching, value studies, and expressive brushwork to capture a likeness and mood. It's also a good exercise in limited palette painting and creating depth with tonal variations.

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 pipe using a pencil.
step 02
Establish the background wash with diluted blue, leaving some areas untouched for highlights.
step 03
Mix a mid-tone brown and begin blocking in the shadows on the face, hair, and clothing.
step 04
Use a darker brown to define the features and add depth to the shadows, paying attention to the light source.
step 05
Add highlights to the face, hair, and clothing using a lighter brown or a touch of white.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Add details to the pipe and clothing, using darker browns and blacks to create contrast.
step 08
Review and adjust values and details to achieve the desired likeness and mood.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · cerulean blue

secondary · ivory black · titanium white

Mix browns with varying amounts of blue and white to achieve different shades and values. Use white sparingly for highlights.

techniques

·dry brushing
·wash
·value study
·expressive line work
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality.
→Using too much water and creating a muddy effect.
→Not paying attention to the proportions and creating an inaccurate likeness.
→Failing to establish a clear light source and creating flat, uninteresting shadows.

materials

surface · watercolor paper 140lb

required

·watercolor paper 140lb
·watercolor paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, cerulean blue, ivory black, titanium white)
·round brushes (various sizes)
·water container
·palette
·pencil
·eraser

optional

·palette knife
·masking fluid
·spray fixative

Use high-quality watercolor paper to prevent buckling and allow for better blending. Experiment with different brush sizes to achieve various effects.

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