plate no. 7251
Self Portrait
Vera Nedkova, 1928
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing for skin tones and clothing, as well as understanding how to capture form with simplified shapes and visible brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Block in the large shapes of color for the background, skin, and clothing.
- step 03
Refine the skin tones by layering and blending different shades of ochre, white, and red.
- step 04
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the folds and shadows.
- step 06
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and form.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the face and clothing.
- step 08
Review and adjust the painting as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · titanium white · cadmium red light · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix skin tones with white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. The dress color can be achieved by mixing red with a touch of umber and blue.
techniques
- ·blocking in
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending and losing the visible brushstrokes.
- →Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
- →Using colors that are too saturated.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes in the skin tones.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·#4 round brush
- ·#8 flat brush
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
Use a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process. Consider using a medium to thin the paint and improve flow.
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