plate no. 5248

Self-portrait in Souzhou

graphite, tusche, paperRealismself-portraitfigurewindowinteriorportraitpatternarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones, capturing subtle light and shadow, and creating depth through perspective and value changes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figure, window frames, and the pattern within the windows.
step 02
Establish the darkest values first, focusing on the shadows within the room and the dark window frames.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 04
Render the details of the clothing, paying attention to the folds and wrinkles to create a sense of volume.
step 05
Carefully paint the pattern within the windows, using a combination of blue and beige/cream colors.
step 06
Add subtle details to the background and floor to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows throughout the painting to enhance the realism.
step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Burnt Umber · Titanium White

secondary · Yellow Ochre · Raw Sienna

Mix Prussian Blue and Burnt Umber to create the dark browns for the window frames. Use Titanium White to lighten the blues and browns for highlights. Mix Yellow Ochre and Raw Sienna to create the beige/cream color for the window pattern.

techniques