plate no. 8360

Self-portrait

Vsevolod Maksymovych, 1913

oil, canvasArt Nouveau (Modern)self-portraitportraitfiguremansuitcirclesabstract background

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing with a limited palette, and creating patterned backgrounds. It also encourages precision and patience in rendering the circular elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions of the figure and the overall composition on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color for the background, figure, and face using diluted paint.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 04
Begin adding the circular patterns in the background, varying the size and density of the circles.
step 05
Develop the details of the suit, including the collar and tie.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension in the figure and background.
step 07
Refine the edges and details of the circles to create a sense of depth and texture.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed to achieve the desired effect.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Mix raw umber and white for the lighter areas of the background and skin. Add a touch of red and yellow ochre to the skin tones for warmth. Use ivory black and raw umber for the suit.

techniques