plate no. 7110

Self-Portrait

Willi Baumeister, 1910

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitmanhatlampinteriortable

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use broken color and visible brushstrokes to create form and texture. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and capturing a likeness using simplified shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hat, lamp, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and then the darker areas of the figure and lamp.
step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones using short, broken brushstrokes of various colors.
step 04
Add details to the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Define the shapes of the hat and clothing with darker values.
step 06
Paint the lamp, capturing its form and the light reflecting off its surface.
step 07
Refine the background and add any final details.
step 08
Allow to dry and add a varnish.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium red light · viridian

Skin tones are achieved by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red light, lightened with titanium white. Darker areas are created by adding ultramarine blue and burnt umber.

techniques