plate no. 0637
Self Portrait (Early)
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic outline of the head and facial features, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the 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 the darker areas and gradually adding highlights.
- step 04
Mix a range of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red.
- step 05
Define the features (eyes, nose, mouth) with darker values and subtle color variations.
- step 06
Add details to the hair, using short, directional brushstrokes.
- step 07
Refine the background with a warm, neutral color, blending it softly around the edges of the head.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of depth.
color palette
primary · titanium white · burnt sienna · yellow ochre
secondary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · raw umber
Achieve skin tones by mixing white with varying amounts of yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red or blue for cooler tones. Use raw umber to darken shadows.
techniques
- ·block-in
- ·scumbling
- ·dry brush
- ·color mixing
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Ignoring the underlying structure of the face.
- →Using too much detail too early in the process.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of light.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·acrylic or oil paints
- ·round brushes
- ·flat brushes
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·linseed oil (if using oil paints)
- ·odorless mineral spirits (for cleaning brushes)
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·easel
- ·painting rags
Use a medium-sized canvas (e.g., 16x20 inches) for this project. Acrylics are more beginner-friendly due to their faster drying time, but oils will allow for more blending.
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