plate no. 9877

Self-Portrait in a Redingote

oil, canvasNeoclassicismself-portraitportraitfigureartistpaletteclothingbook

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in depicting fabrics and textures with subtle value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure's pose and proportions.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: background, clothing, and skin.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 04
Develop the details of the clothing, including the folds and shadows.
step 05
Add the palette and book, paying attention to their placement and form.
step 06
Refine the background with subtle color variations.
step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition and color balance.

color palette

primary · ivory black · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create the dark clothing by mixing black with raw umber and a hint of blue. The background is a mix of raw umber, white, and blue.

techniques