plate no. 7696
Self-portrait
Vittorio Matteo Corcos, 1913
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating subtle variations in value to model form. It also provides practice in depicting clothing folds and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with a thin wash of burnt umber or a similar earth tone.
- step 03
Begin layering in skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 04
Mix and apply colors for the clothing, paying attention to the way light interacts with the fabric.
- step 05
Develop the background with subtle variations in color and value.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add highlights and details to the hair and clothing.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · raw sienna
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use blue and black sparingly to create shadows and cool tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·color mixing
- ·value study
- ·blending
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors and creating muddy tones.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value that create form.
- →Getting lost in details before establishing the overall composition.
- →Using too much black, which can flatten the image.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
- ·mahl stick
Use a medium-grain canvas for best results. Consider using a limited palette of colors to simplify the mixing process.
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