plate no. 5321

Self-Portrait in a White Smock

Lovis Corinth, 1918

oilImpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigureartiststudiopaintingeasel

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing likeness and form using expressive brushstrokes and a limited color palette. It's a good exercise in understanding value relationships and creating depth with paint.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes.
step 03
Begin building up the form with thicker, more expressive brushstrokes, focusing on the planes of the face and body.
step 04
Mix and apply the local colors, paying attention to the subtle shifts in hue and value.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and volume.
step 07
Adjust the overall composition and color balance as needed.
step 08
Add final details and refine edges to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining raw umber, yellow ochre, ivory black, and titanium white. Use burnt sienna to add warmth to the skin tones.

techniques