plate no. 9695
Self Portrait
William Dobson, 1646
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and creating subtle value transitions in skin tones. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form using a limited color palette.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and collar.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
- step 03
Block in the dark areas of the hair and clothing, paying attention to the direction of the brushstrokes.
- step 04
Begin building up the mid-tones in the face, gradually adding highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Refine the features of the face, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
- step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, such as individual strands and folds.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend transitions to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · ivory black
Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw umber, and titanium white. Use yellow ochre for warmer highlights and ivory black to deepen shadows.
techniques
- ·underpainting
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Using too much color and losing the overall tonal harmony.
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium (e.g., Liquin)
- ·varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the underpainting process.
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