plate no. 9855

Self-portrait, full figure

Max Gubler, 1949

oilExpressionismself-portraitfigureself-portraitartistinteriorpaintingpalette

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing a likeness with simplified forms. It also provides practice in color mixing to achieve nuanced skin tones and atmospheric effects.

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 and proportions of the figure and the surrounding environment using a pencil or thinned paint.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall value structure and relationships between colors.
step 03
Begin to refine the shapes and forms of the figure, paying attention to the planes of the face and body.
step 04
Add details to the clothing and the artist's palette, using thicker paint and more visible brushstrokes.
step 05
Develop the background, using loose, expressive brushstrokes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 06
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a harmonious and unified composition.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.
step 08
Step back and evaluate the painting, making any necessary adjustments to improve the overall composition and impact.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · violet · burnt umber

Mix violet by combining alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue. Create skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of crimson or blue. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·expressive brushwork
·color mixing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the initial brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details and losing sight of the overall composition.
→Failing to accurately capture the proportions and likeness of the figure.
→Using colors that are too saturated or intense, resulting in a garish or unnatural effect.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags