plate no. 6669

Self-Portrait in Profile

oil, canvasBaroqueself-portraitportraitmanprofilecollarhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering form with subtle value changes. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using a limited color palette.

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 head and collar.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of burnt umber and red.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, using a mix of earth tones and white.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
step 05
Paint the collar, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 06
Add details to the hair and beard, using small brushstrokes.
step 07
Adjust the overall values and colors to create a sense of harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to the face and collar.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · red ochre

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, red ochre, and white. Use ivory black to darken shadows. Mix yellow ochre with white for highlights.

techniques