plate no. 4598

Self Portrait in Profile from the Back

Avigdor Arikha, 1990

oilContemporary Realismnude painting (nu)figureportraitnudeprofilebackman

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering skin tones and understanding subtle shifts in value to create form. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying a sense of weight and volume.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall figure proportions and pose on toned paper.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background with charcoal or dark pastel.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the figure using light and dark pastel tones.
step 04
Begin layering and blending colors to create smooth transitions in the skin tones.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color to define the form of the muscles and bones.
step 06
Add details to the face, including the glasses and hair, using fine lines and small strokes.
step 07
Refine the edges of the figure and background to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix skin tones by blending white, raw umber, burnt sienna, and small amounts of red, yellow, and blue. Use ivory black to darken shadows and create subtle variations in value.

techniques

·blending
·layering
·scumbling
·hatching
·value study

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and color, which can make the figure look unrealistic.
→Getting the proportions wrong, which can distort the overall likeness.
→Not paying attention to the edges of the figure, which can make it look disconnected from the background.

materials

surface · toned pastel paper

required

·toned paper (e.g., gray or tan)
·soft pastels
·charcoal pencils
·kneaded eraser
·fixative spray
·blending stumps
·pastel pencils

optional

·palette knife
·workable fixative
·chamois cloth

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to allow for better adhesion of the pastels. Use a workable fixative to prevent smudging and allow for layering.

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