plate no. 7906

Self Portrait

Victor Zaretsky, 1980

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehatscarfmanface

some experience helpful

This painting helps students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create form and mood. Recreating this will improve your ability to capture likeness and expression with loose, painterly strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, hat, and scarf with light pencil lines.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of a neutral color like burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main color areas for the skin, hat, scarf, and background using broad strokes.
step 04
Begin to refine the shapes and values of the face, paying attention to the light and shadow.
step 05
Add details to the hat and scarf, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Introduce pops of color and highlights to create visual interest.
step 07
Refine the background with expressive brushstrokes, blending some areas and leaving others more textured.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to create a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · viridian green

Mix various shades of skin tones using burnt sienna, white, and small amounts of red, blue, and yellow. Achieve the hat's color by mixing ultramarine blue with burnt umber and white. Create the scarf's colors by blending blues, greens, reds, and purples.

techniques