plate no. 5934

Self-Portrait, Night

Avigdor Arikha, 1970

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfigureinteriorlampdoorwindow

some experience helpful

This painting is great for practicing value studies and expressive brushwork. Students can learn to create depth and form using only a limited palette and visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, door, and lamp.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the painting, such as the background and lamp shade.
step 03
Begin filling in the mid-tones, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 04
Use short, expressive brushstrokes to build up the texture and form of the figure and objects.
step 05
Add highlights to the lamp and other areas where light is strongest.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and other key areas.
step 07
Adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white

secondary ·

Vary the ratio of black to white to create a range of grays. Use more white for highlights and more black for shadows.

techniques

·dry brush
·scumbling
·value study
·expressive brushwork
·chiaroscuro

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the expressive quality of the brushstrokes.
→Not establishing a clear value structure, resulting in a flat or muddy painting.
→Ignoring the direction of light and creating inconsistent shadows.
→Being too precise with details and losing the overall impression.