plate no. 5301

Self-Portrait

Wilhelm Trübner, 1902

oilRealismself-portraitportraitmanhatsuitfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and rendering form using light and shadow. It also provides practice in mixing subtle skin tones and creating a sense of depth through value changes.

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, hat, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and clothing with a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a limited palette of earth tones and red.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shapes of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the hat and clothing, such as the folds and creases.
step 06
Mix and apply the colors for the tie, focusing on the highlights and shadows.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by blending burnt umber, raw sienna, cadmium red, and titanium white. Use ivory black to darken the shadows and yellow ochre to create highlights.

techniques