plate no. 1645
Self-portrait (in yellow shirt)
Pyotr Konchalovsky, 1943
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones and clothing, and capturing textures with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in depicting light and shadow on a complex subject.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, clothing, and skin.
- step 03
Begin layering in darker values to define shadows and forms.
- step 04
Mix and apply subtle color variations to create depth and realism in the skin tones.
- step 05
Develop the details of the clothing, paying attention to folds and textures.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate proportions and expression.
- step 07
Add highlights and final details to enhance the overall realism.
- step 08
Adjust the values and colors as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue
secondary · cadmium yellow · raw sienna · alizarin crimson · viridian
Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, burnt umber, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Achieve the yellow shirt color by mixing cadmium yellow with a touch of yellow ochre and white. Create the brown jacket by mixing burnt umber with a touch of ultramarine blue and raw sienna.
techniques
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
- ·scumbling
- ·color layering
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overmixing colors, resulting in muddy tones.
- →Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
- →Ignoring subtle color variations in the skin.
- →Failing to capture the texture of the clothing.
- →Getting lost in details before establishing the overall form.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas 18x24
- ·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow, raw sienna, alizarin crimson, viridian)
- ·assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·varnish
Use a medium-tooth canvas for better texture. Consider using a limited palette to simplify color mixing. Work in a well-ventilated area.
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