plate no. 0952

Self-Portrait

Victor Brauner, 1923

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigureself-portraitmanclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to simplify forms and use color to define planes and create a sense of depth. It will also help develop skills in portraiture and capturing likeness through expressive brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the larger shapes and value ranges.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the placement and shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the shadows and highlights on the face and clothing to create form and dimension.
step 05
Add details to the background, using simplified shapes and colors to create depth.
step 06
Use visible brushstrokes to add texture and visual interest to the painting.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a cohesive and expressive final result.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · yellow ochre

Mix browns and blacks with small amounts of red, green, and yellow to create the subtle variations in skin tone and background. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques